2026 General Assembly Wrap-up: Progress Toward Safer Streets in Virginia

The 2026 General Assembly session has wrapped up, with exciting wins for safer streets across Virginia!  When enacted into law, these measures will make it safer for everyone who walks, bikes, and drives.

We encourage you to thank your legislators for their commitment to improving traffic safety and livability across the Commonwealth. Working alongside advocates statewide, we’ve built real momentum for even greater progress ahead.

Strengthening Traffic Safety Camera Programs

This year’s session delivered several updates to Virginia’s traffic safety camera laws to boost public confidence and ensure fair, consistent enforcement. Highlights include:

• Transparency in funding: Localities must now use revenue from traffic camera penalties only for their photo monitoring programs and local traffic safety initiatives. (Del. Delaney’s HB1220)
• Consistent enforcement: Beginning January 1, 2027, all traffic camera program summonses will use a standard form created by the Supreme Court of Virginia. (HB1220)
• Professional training: By July 1, 2027, officers who affirm traffic camera summonses must complete a Department of Criminal Justice Services course. (Del. Hayes’ HB684 and Sen. Diggs’ SB59).

Expanding Tools for Safer Streets

Lawmakers broadened options available to localities to help protect people on Virginia roads:

• Bicycle signal faces: Del. Carr’s HB812 will allow the Virginia Department of Transportation and localities to install “Bicycle Signal Faces” which can reduce  bicycle crash rates by up to 45 percent.
• More locations for Speed Safety Cameras: Del. Seibold’s HB994 permits use of cameras in designated “Safety Red Zones,” initially limited to Planning District 8 (NoVA).
• Extended school zone coverage: Sen. Jones’ SB221 allows cameras to operate up to 60 minutes before and after school arrivals and dismissals (up from 30 minutes).
• New programs in school and work zones: Sen. Williams-Graves’ SB84 lets localities use cameras to monitor pedestrian crossing and stop sign violations in school crossings and highway work zones.
• Accountability for unpaid summonses: Sen. Jones’ SB219  sets up a clear process if drivers don’t respond to summonses for traffic camera violations — a second notice after 30 days, and if there’s still no response, the DMV won’t register or re-register the vehicle.

Looking Ahead

These accomplishments mark meaningful progress toward safer streets statewide—but our work continues. Over the next year, the Virginia Bicycling Federation (VBF) will focus on:

• Safety Yield, Proceed on Walk Signal, and Riding Two Abreast: Educating legislators before the 2027 General Assembly session about safety measures in Del. Willett’s 2026 HB661.
• Electric mobility safety: Contributing to a DMV-led work group studying ways to improve safety for electric-assist bicycles, scooters, mopeds, and similar devices, as directed in Del. Singh’s HB1120.

The VBF Advocacy Committee welcomes your ideas and feedback on legislative or regulatory priorities that advance cycling safety and infrastructure investment. Share your thoughts at vbfadvocacycommittee@gmail.com

Call to Action

Thanks to the dedication of advocates, legislators, and community partners, the foundation for safer streets in Virginia has never been stronger.

Thank your Senator and Delegate if they supported the measures listed above.  You can identify them here.

Give special thanks to the bill patrons for their leadership and commitment to traffic safety: Delegates Willett, Carr, Delaney, Hayes, Seibold, and Singh, along with Senators Diggs, Jones and Williams Graves

Together, we’re moving Virginia toward streets that are safer, fairer, and more connected for everyone.

Please share this article to help build support for safer streets in 2026 and 2027!