DUI Arrests, Crashes Increase In The City Of Manassas In 2021: Police Department Report

MANASSAS, VA — DUI arrests and car crashes increased in the City of Manassas in 2021, police said. The city's police department released their annual report this week.

Police chief Douglas Keen also outlined details about the city's red light cameras and traffic citations. Authorities activated the cameras at three intersections in 2021.

In total, the traffic light system identified 19,600 violations in 2021. The police department said the cameras are located at three intersections: Liberia Avenue and Route 28, Liberia Avenue and Euclid Avenue, and Liberia Avenue and Signal Hill Road.

The police department also has a partnership with city's school system: BusPatrol. BusPatrol equips buses with cameras to prevent drivers from illegally passing while buses pick up and drop off students.

The police department noted 1,826 violations from BusPatrol. Proceeds from BusPatrol help fund Manassas City Public Schools.

Manassas City police officers issued 6,404 citations, a 25 percent increase from 2020. In 2021, officers could issue tickets to drivers who hold a cell phone in their hand. The police department said these tickets led to the year over year increase.

The police department also recorded 129 DUI arrests in 2021. DUI arrests rose by 22 percent when compared to 2020.

The number of crashes in the city also increased by 72 percent, according to the police department. Crashes were most likely to occur between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Authorities also said that Fridays recorded the most crashes, while Sundays recorded the fewest.

The most common cause of a crash was a driver failing to have the right of way. In 2021, 120 crashes occurred after drivers failed to possess the right of way. Following too closely was another common cause of crashes. Police said 95 crashes occurred because drivers did not provide enough space for the car in front of them.

More information about traffic citations, crashes, and arrests in the City of Manassas is available in the police department's annual report.