Automated Safety Enforcement
Arlington County is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all travelers in our community and has implemented programs and strategies designed to improve safety across Arlington’s transportation network. The Automated Safety Enforcement program, which includes PhotoRED and PhotoSPEED, aims to encourage red-light compliance, lower speeds and promote safety by addressing driver behaviors that can result in traffic fatalities and severe injuries. The program supports Arlington County’s ongoing Vision Zero program efforts and the Police Department’s key initiative of Transportation Safety.
The Automated Safety Enforcement program is managed by the Arlington County Police Department with support by the Department of Environmental Service’s Division of Transportation.
PhotoRED
The PhotoRED program uses red-light cameras to detect and record images of vehicles that run red-lights at intersections with traffic signals. The goal of the program is to improve driver compliance with traffic signals, increase road safety and reduce serious injuries and fatalities caused by red-light running.
Map of PhotoRED Locations in Arlington County
How Red-Light Safety Cameras Work
The camera records video and takes photos when a vehicle enters the intersection after the light turns red.
Program Information
- Red-light safety cameras operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Photo-enforcement signs are posted within 500 feet of camera enforced intersections.
- The contracted company reviews and validates the footage of all potential red-light violations before sending it to the Arlington County Police Department. An officer then reviews the footage captured by the system and confirmed violations are issued a ticket.
- A photo-enforced red-light ticket is a $50.00 fine.
- A ticket does not add driver license points or affect insurance.
- The violation does not affect drivers on court or DMV probation.
Camera Selection Criteria
The locations for red light violation cameras are chosen based on Virginia code and consider the following factors:
- Crash rate
- Red-light violation rate
- Pedestrian safety
- Difficulty in conducting enforcement at the location through traditional methods
After data for each intersection is reviewed, the top potential locations are selected for the program contractor to conduct a multi-day, site-specific analysis of the location to confirm the need for a camera.
Camera Locations
PhotoRED program cameras are located at the following intersections:
- NB N. Glebe Rd. at N. Fairfax Dr.
- NB N. Lynn St. at EB Langston Blvd.
- WB Washington Blvd. at Langston Blvd.
- SB Fort Myer Dr. at WB Langston Blvd.
- NB and SB Richmond Hwy. at 23rd Street S.
- EB and WB Columbia Pike at S. Glebe Rd.
- NB N. Glebe Rd at N. Washington Blvd.
- EB and WB Columbia Pike at Washington Boulevard
- WB Langston Boulevard at N. Spout Run Parkway and SB N. Spout Run Parkway at Langston Boulevard
- EB and Westbound 10th Street N. at N. Barton Street
- WB Langston Boulevard at N. Lynn Street
- WB Wilson Boulevard at N. Lynn Street and NB N. Lynn St at Wilson Boulevard
- WB Langston Boulevard at eastbound I-66 Exit 72 Offramp
PhotoSPEED
In 2020, Virginia enacted legislation to permit speed safety cameras in school and work zones. Recognizing children are some of our most vulnerable road users, PhotoSPEED launched at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year with a focus on school zones to ensure the safety of students as they arrive and depart from school each day.
PhotoSPEED uses camera technology to detect and record images of vehicles traveling faster than the posted speed limit. Speed safety cameras are an additional education and enforcement tool to encourage compliance with posted traffic signs, deter speeding, reduce the likelihood of severe crashes, and improve overall safety on roads.
Map of PhotoSPEED locations in Arlington County
How Speed Safety Cameras Work
The camera records video and takes photos when a vehicle is traveling in the school zone in excess of the posted speed limit.
Program Information
- School zone speed safety cameras are operational when the lights on the speed limit signs are flashing during arrival and departure.
- Photo-enforcement signs are posted 1,000 feet in advance of each speed safety camera.
- The contracted company reviews and validates the footage of all potential speed violations before sending it to the Arlington County Police Department. An officer then reviews the footage captured by the system and confirmed violations are issued a ticket.
- A speed camera ticket is a $100 fine.
- A ticket does not add driver license points or affect insurance.
- The ticket does not affect drivers on court or DMV probation.
Camera Selection Criteria
Arlington County identified school zone locations within the county that would most benefit from automated safety devices in accordance with the County’s Vision Zero strategy. PhotoSPEED locations were then selected using safety data sources. These school zones will be actively reviewed and assessed by County staff to evaluate the safety impacts of the cameras and guide the development and future of the PhotoSPEED program.
Camera Locations
PhotoSPEED program cameras are installed at the following locations:
- NB 1300 block of Kirkwood Road
- WB 5800 block of Wilson Boulevard
- SB 400 block of N. George Mason Drive
- SB 600 block of S. Carlin Springs Road
- SB Unit block of S. Carlin Springs Road
- SB 1900 block of S. George Mason Drive
- NB 1900 block of S George Mason Drive
- SB 1200 block of S. George Mason Drive
- EB 4500 block of Washington Boulevard
- EB 5200 block of Yorktown Boulevard
Information About Tickets
View footage of your ticket.
Pay a Ticket
Automated safety enforcement tickets are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.
PAY ONLINE: Visit www.violationinfo.com and log in with your ticket number and PIN number located on the front of your ticket. There may be an additional convenience fee for online payments.
Your payment must be received on or before the due date shown on the front of your ticket. If you have any questions regarding payments, please contact Customer Service (toll-free) at 1-(866)-790-4111.
PAY BY PHONE: Call 1-866-790-4111 and select option 1. Available 24/7. A fee may apply for phone payments.
You may use credit/debit cards to pay the ticket. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are accepted. (a convenience fee may be charged for credit card payments)
Dispute a Ticket
You may contest a ticket by requesting a court date or completing an affidavit found on www.violationinfo.com. The affidavit must be received by the due date of your ticket. The affidavit and supporting documentation will be reviewed and will result in either dismissal of the ticket or the scheduling of a court date. You will be notified in writing of any action taken.
Handling Tickets Where You Were Not Driving
Tickets are mailed to the registered vehicle owner. If your vehicle/plate was stolen or you are a rental/lease car agency, you may complete an affidavit and attach supporting documentation found on www.violationinfo.com. The affidavit must be received by the due date of your ticket. The affidavit and supporting documentation will be reviewed and you will be notified in writing of any action taken.
Lost Tickets
Please call 1-866-790-4111 and have your license plate number readily available. You can also email info@violationinfo.com.
Additional Automated Safety Enforcement Resources
2024 Red-Light Safety Camera Expansion InfoSheet (en Español)
2024 PhotoSPEED Program Launch InfoSheet (en Español)
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration - Proven Safety Countermeasures, Speed Safety Cameras