FALLS CHURCH, VA — The city of Falls Church has relocated two red-light cameras as part of the police department's Intersection Safety Program. Drivers will have until Nov. 19 to adjust to the change before fines begin Nov. 20.
ARLnow first reported the change.
The red-light cameras at West Broad Street and Cherry Street and West Broad Street and Annadale Road have been moved to two intersections: Washington Street (Route 29) and Broad Street (Route 7), and East Broad Street and South Roosevelt Street.
The cameras became active on Oct. 21. During the warning period, drivers caught running red lights at the new locations will receive warnings rather than citations.
The city said red-light violations have declined at the previous locations, allowing it to use cameras at intersections where regional growth and traffic from the I-66 corridor have raised safety concerns.
"Drivers at those intersections have become accustomed to stopping on red, and violations have steadily declined," the city's release reads. "[R]elocating the red-light cameras allows the Police Department to use this enforcement tool at intersections where increased through-traffic has created greater risk."
Starting Nov. 20, drivers caught running red lights by the cameras will face a $50 fine.
"Running a red light is one of the most dangerous choices a driver can make because occupants have little protection in side impact (T-bone) crashes," said Police Chief Shahram Fard in the statement. "Red-light cameras give us a consistent, around-the-clock way to discourage it. Moving them to riskier intersections supports the City's Vision Zero goal and reflects what our residents and City Council have asked for: safer streets for everyone."
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