Traffic Enforcement

Every week, more than one million vehicles travel through Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park and MCV campuses. Members of the VCU and VCU Health community rely on city streets to get to and from class, work and other facilities – day and night. Drivers traveling through VCU’s campus should keep this fact top of mind when approaching VCU property and adjust their driving behaviors.

VCU Police Traffic Division utilizes a comprehensive operations plan to coordinate traffic enforcement efforts all year long. During the 2024-25 academic year, enforcement operations resulted in the following:

• 1,593 traffic stops
• 1,111 traffic summons
• 472 warnings issued
• 112 felony arrests
• 271 misdemeanor arrest

It is the responsibility of everyone utilizing public roadways – regardless of their mode of transportation – to stay alert, keep their heads up and look out for fellow travelers. If you notice speeding or traffic issues within VCU Police’s jurisdiction, please send these reports to this email address of review from our team of traffic investigators.

Traffic and Driver Safety Information

As part of the ONE VCU Master Plan, VCU has installed several “front doors” near both campuses to serve as visual clues to drivers that they are entering an area with increased levels of pedestrian and cyclist traffic. When driving near VCU, please keep these important safety reminders top of mind:

• Obey posted speed limits: The speed limit throughout VCU’s campus is 25 miles per hour and is strictly enforced by VCU Police.
• Do not drive distracted: It is illegal in Virginia to hold an electronic device while operating a vehicle.
• Yield to pedestrians: This includes crosswalks – whether they are midblock or at intersections – and intersections where the speed limit is under 35 mph (all of VCU) until the pedestrian has passed.
• Follow traffic signs and signals: This includes “No Turn on Red” signs posted at nine intersections across the Monroe Park Campus.
• When passing cyclists, give at least three feet of passing space and drive at a safe speed.
• Always buckle your seatbelt, regardless of where you are sitting in the vehicle of how long of distance you have to travel.
• Always drive sober: There are a host of safe, sober ride options available to the VCU and Richmond community.

VCU Police officers utilize several technological resources to ensure roadway safety, including the use of Radar/LiDar in patrol vehicles to detect vehicle speeds and mobile data terminals in each patrol vehicle that connect directly to VCIN, the Virginia Criminal Information Network. Officers using this system can obtain information about vehicle ownership, an operator's license, stolen property or see if someone is wanted.

Vehicle Theft Prevention

Each year, VCU Police investigate dozens of stolen vehicle incidents. In many instances, these are crimes of opportunity, where a criminal identifies an easy target and acts.

VCU Police utilize a comprehensive camera system to help identify suspects and, in some cases, recover stolen vehicles. Still, drivers are encouraged to use the following best practices to prevent theft:

Motor vehicle theft (cars & trucks):

• Never leave your car unattended, unlocked, running and/or with the keys inside. It only takes a minute for someone to steal a vehicle that’s already running and unlocked.
• Always lock your car doors and windows.
• Keep laptops, cell phones, purses, book bags and anything else of value in the trunk of your vehicle or take them with you. Consider using an antitheft device.
• Park in well-lit, busy areas.
• Do not store spare keys in your car or in your car’s gas compartment.
• If you see people trying to open the doors of multiple vehicles, call 804-828-1234 to report the suspicious behavior to VCU Police.

Motor vehicle theft (e-bikes, scooters, motorcycles)

• Use a U-lock or heavy metal chain to secure the vehicle.
• Properly attach the vehicle to an immovable object – like a bike or scooter rack.
• Secure an e-bike by attaching your lock around the frame, NOT the wheels or handlebars.
• For e-scooters, thread the lock through the frame and wheel of your vehicle; this prevents someone from simply sliding the e-scooter through the U-lock or chain.
• Lock motorcycles using a thick chain and heavy-duty padlock. Lock the forks, or disc brakes.
• Try to position locking mechanisms facing the ground, which makes it more difficult to tamper with.
• Consider installing anti-theft devices – like a kill-switch, AirTag or other GPS tracking device.
• Keep the title at home. Keep the registration and insurance information on your person.
• Secure your helmet with a helmet lock, or take it with you. Take any valuables with you, or lock them in saddle bags.
• If you see people trying to move multiple motorcycles or scooters, contact VCU Police to report suspicious behavior.
• VCU community members can register their bike or scooter with VCU Police to help make it easier to recover if stolen.
• If you would like to discuss theft prevention strategies in more detail, VCU Police’s crime prevention specialists are available at 804-828-1209. Tips for community members: Meet delivery drivers promptly
• Meet delivery drivers at their car so they don't feel as though they have to leave it running and unattended.
• Don't expect delivery drivers to stand in the lobby with your order, be ready to meet them.
• For deliveries to residence halls, apartments and homes, head down 1 to 2 minutes early as a courtesy to the delivery driver.

Traffic Crashes on Campus

If you become involved in a vehicle crash on campus, stay calm. Dial (804) 828-1196 or use an Emergency Reporting Telephone System phone to report it to VCU Police. An officer will respond to take a report. If there are any injuries involved, notify the dispatcher so they can have emergency medical services respond as well.

Hit-and-Run Crashes

Bumped or dented someone else’s vehicle with your vehicle? Did you leave a note or contact VCU Police? If not, you’re a hit-and-run driver.

If someone saw you hit another vehicle, leave the scene and then reported you to police, you could lose your license and be fined (if found guilty in court). If the damage is significant enough, it’s possible that the fine could be $2,500. (Virginia code sections 46.2-894, 46.2-896, 46.2-900 and 46.2-901.)

Do the legal thing, do the right thing: leave your information on the vehicle you hit. Leave a note with the following information:

• Your name
• Your contact phone number
• The license plate number of the vehicle you were driving at the time of the crash
• Your insurance company and policy number
• Your driver's license number

If you don’t feel comfortable leaving this information, take down the other vehicle’s make/model and license plate number and call the VCU Police non-emergency number (804) 828-1196:

• Tell us what vehicle you hit and at what location (parking deck, parking lot, street address, etc.)
• Explain what the damage is and provide us your information
• If possible, stay on the scene and let an officer come out to the scene of the incident

Remember, if you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable exchanging your information with someone, call VCU Police and have a police officer facilitate the exchange. If the other driver leaves before exchanging information, don’t try to follow them. Get the description of the driver, what the vehicle looked like and the license plate number. Then call VCU Police at (804) 828-1196.

Download and print this form for vehicular crashes.

If you are involved in a vehicular crash that results in injury to yourself, or others, please call the VCU Police emergency line immediately at (804) 828-1234.

Know the Laws

VCU Police officers observe a litany of traffic related violations every single day, and drivers who disobey posted traffic signs, signals and laws face the possibility of a ticket. Before you hit the roadways near VCU or VCU Health, please keep in mind several common traffic violations and their potential consequences.

• Distracted Driving: Careless driving that results in the injury or death of a “vulnerable road user” – such as pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, etc. – is a class one misdemeanor in Virginia.
• Reckless Driving: Drivers traveling more than 20 miles per hour over the post speed limit or in excess of 85 miles per hour can be charged with reckless driving.
• Hands Free Driving: It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle on a roadway while holding a handheld personal communication device, such as cellphones or similar devices. Violators face the possibility of a $125 fine and a $250 fine for subsequent offenses.
• Yield to pedestrians: Drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians in their travel lane or the adjacent lane at clearly marked cross walks, whether midblock or at intersections, regular pedestrian crossings that are unmarked and any intersection where the speed limit is under 35 miles per hour.
• Driving Under the Influence: Anyone found to be operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol faces potential jail time, fines and loss of their driving license for one year on the first offense. The penalties only increase with subsequent offense.
• Seatbelt Laws: All drivers and front seat passengers must wear a seatbelt at all times while the vehicle is in motion. Anyone under the age of 18 is required to wear a seatbelt or child restraint device regardless of their location in the vehicle.

Buckle Up, Virginia!

VCU Police officers assist with enforcement as part of the National Click It or Ticket program, designed to increase safety belt usage and save people from death and serious injury on the streets and highways. To learn more about the facts behind safety belt usage and their effectiveness, please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You may refer to the DMV FAQ for answers to other questions.

Traffic Conditions

Whether you are going to class or work, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) maintains 511virginia.org/, which lists statewide traffic information.