Focus on Safety (Red Light Cameras)

As part of a community program to improve traffic safety, the City of Falls Church issues citations to motorists who are videotaped running red lights at two intersections: eastbound and westbound approaches at Broad and Cherry Streets as well as Broad Street and Annandale Road.


Focus On Safety Logo

Monthly Reports

The table above summarizes the number of citations (violations and warnings) issued via red light camera monitoring in the City of Falls Church.
  Eastbound
E. Broad St.
at Cherry St.
 Westbound
E. Broad St.
at Cherry St.
 Eastbound
W. Broad St. at
W. Annandale Rd.
 Westbound
W. Broad St. at
W. Annandale Rd.
 Total
April 2019 110 176 148 47 481
March 2019 140 169 172 43 524
February 2019 87 118 146 51 402
January 2019 119 88 151 41 399
December 2018 119 125 217 49 510
November 2018
 89 109 130 37 365
October 2018
 80 96 125 36 337
September 2018
 87 82 111 49 329
August 2018
 207 145 163 49 564
July 2018
 257 132 152 47 588
June 2018
 233 121 102 41 497
May 2018
 257 64 75 7 403
April 2018
 308 172
 193
 45
 718
March 2018
 283
 219
 223
 60
 785
February 2018
 224
 112
 175
 26
 537
January 2018
 236 90 202 44 572
December 2017
 103
 84
 189
 38
 414

Safety Tips

The Falls Church Focus on Safety Program reminds drivers to always approach an intersection safely. Drivers should slow down and prepare to make a complete stop when a light turns yellow. Yellow lights inform drivers about a change in traffic flow. Drivers should also always yield to pedestrians--as they have the right of way--and come to a full and complete stop before turning right on red. Drivers should make sure the roadway is clear before proceeding. It's the law.

Red-Light Violations

A red-light violation occurs when a motorist enters an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red. Motorists already in the intersection when the signal changes to red are not considered red-light violators. For example, a driver who enters an intersection on a green light will not receive a citation, even if that motorist must wait until the light turns red to complete a left-hand turn after oncoming traffic clears.

Issuing Citations

The intersection safety camera is activated when motion is detected, indicating a vehicle is entering the intersection after the traffic signal has turned red. The camera captures 2 images of the offending vehicle: one showing the vehicle before entering the intersection on a red light, and one showing the vehicle proceeding through the intersection on red. A video is also made of the violation. The images are reviewed and the violation confirmed by an officer with the Falls Church Police Department before a violation notice is issued.

Fines & Inquiries

Owners of vehicles that are photographed running red lights will receive a notice in the mail and are subject to a fine of $50. Inquiries about the program can be made to the Falls Church Police at 703-248-5053 (TTY 711) or email police@fallschurchva.gov.