Virginia Localities Rake In $54 Million From Speed Cameras in 2025

New State Police report shows rapid expansion of speed camera programs across the state.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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According to a new report from the Virginia State Police, cities and counties across the state collected $54 million in revenue from speed enforcement cameras in 2025, a 61% increase from the previous year. The deployment of speed cameras has rapidly expanded, with 49 agencies operating such cameras by 2025, up from 39 the year before. The New Kent County Sheriff's Office was the biggest money maker, generating over $7.1 million from about 106,000 speeding violations on a stretch of Interstate 64.

Why it matters

The growing reliance on speed cameras by Virginia localities has sparked debate, with some lawmakers criticizing the programs as revenue generators rather than public safety measures. While the state law allows for the cameras, there are concerns about the scale of the collections and whether they are being used appropriately.

The details

The report shows that four Southeast Virginia localities - New Kent, Suffolk, Hampton and Chesapeake - together took in more than $18 million in 2025, accounting for over a third of the state's total speed camera revenue. Suffolk had the highest number of violations at 116,000, while New Kent generated the most revenue at over $7.1 million. The cameras are being used in school zones and highway work zones, with 64% of the statewide revenue coming from school zones.

  • In 2022, only 5 agencies collected $4 million on 92,062 speed camera violations.
  • Between 2022 and 2025, law enforcement agencies have raked in $112 million in revenue on more than 1.9 million violations.
  • In 2025, the 49 cities and counties with speed cameras collected on about 63% of their speed camera violations.

The players

Virginia State Police

The state law enforcement agency that is required to report annually to the General Assembly on speed camera violations and revenue collected by localities.

New Kent County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that was the biggest money maker in Virginia in 2025, generating over $7.1 million from about 106,000 speeding violations on Interstate 64.

Sen. Mark J. Peake

A Republican state senator from Lynchburg who has criticized the speed camera programs as revenue generators rather than public safety measures.

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What they’re saying

“I have to tell you, I'm looking at these totals, and I am appalled. This is outrageous. We have to do something as a General Assembly.”

— Sen. Mark J. Peake, R-Lynchburg (Virginia State Crime Commission meeting)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.