Through the program, WMATA will mount cameras on 140 of its buses to capture video of vehicles that block bus lanes or zones. City officials say the effort will improve traffic and safety by reducing bus idle times and better allowing them to pull up to the curb for passenger entry and exit.
Vehicles that remain in the lanes or zones long-term will be towed.
The District has 12.7 miles of bus lanes where cars are not permitted, but transit users have long complained that cars and trucks have continued to block the lanes, slowing buses down. WMATA data shows that the average bus speed in D.C. is 9.8 miles per hour, a 9 percent decline from 15 years ago.
“In the District, Metrobus is the only mode of transportation for many people,” said Sherri Ly, a spokesperson for WMATA. “Keeping bus stop zones and bus lanes clear will improve the customer experience with faster, better, more reliable and equitable service.”
The fine was originally slated to be $200, but DDOT proposed changing it to address concerns that it would place an excessive burden on low-income drivers. The D.C. Council passed emergency legislation introduced by Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) lowering the fine on Nov. 7. The $100 fine matches fines for parking at a bus stop.
DDOT has issued more than 48,000 warning notices for vehicles parked in a bus lane or zone since July, according to data provided by city officials.
Authorized vehicles — including school buses, emergency vehicles and accessible transportation service vehicles — as well as bikes and scooters will continue to be permitted in bus lanes.
Unauthorized vehicles can still enter bus lanes under specific situations, such as when parking, pulling over for an emergency vehicle, or turning within 40 feet of an intersection or driveway.
WASHINGTON (7News) — An individual is hospitalized after fleeing a traffic stop and being struck by a civilian vehicle on DC-295 in Northeast D.C. Monday night, according to the United States Park Police (USPP).
Officials said the incident began around 11:18 p.m. when officers attempted to stop a driver for reckless driving.
USPP said the driver fled, later losing control of the vehicle before crashing into a curb and a tree, disabling the car.
(Credit: Kyle Mazza/@KyleMazzaWUNF)
The suspect then bailed out near Kenilworth Park and ran onto DC-295.
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While on the roadway, officials said the individual was struck by a civilian vehicle.
(Credit: Kyle Mazza/@KyleMazzaWUNF)
The civilian driver was not injured.
The suspect was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
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The investigation remains ongoing.
BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A Washington D.C. man was sentenced to life in prison Monday for the 2024 deadly shooting of a Baltimore man during an attempted robbery in Harbor East, according to the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office.
Defendant Quontay Spinks was given a life sentence for First-Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, First-Degree Assault, Attempted Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, and First-Degree Attempted Murder.
“I thank the court for handing down the maximum sentence under the plea agreement parameters for a Defendant who terrorized our residents, visitors, and ultimately took the life of Mr. Antonio Peoples,” State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates said in a press release. “While nothing can undo this loss, I hope this sentence brings the family a sense of justice and closure. I thank the Baltimore Police Department’s Homicide Detectives and ASA Gallo for ensuring accountability after so much violence and tragedy.
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The shooting occurred on September 14, 2024, in the 700 block of Aliceanna Street, outside The Ruxton restaurant in Harbor East.
Investigators reported that the victim, 36-year-old Antonio Peoples, and his girlfriend were standing outside the restaurant when a dark-colored vehicle, later identified as a Toyota Camry, pulled up beside them.
Surveillance video reviewed by homicide detectives revealed several suspects exiting the vehicle and approaching the couple with their firearms drawn.
The suspects attempted to rob them of their necklaces and when Peoples resisted, gunfire erupted.
According to investigators, Peoples managed to disarm one of the suspects and returned fire while wounded on the ground.
Peoples was struck multiple times and rushed to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he later died. His girlfriend was grazed by a bullet and received treatment for her injuries.
Crime scene technicians recovered dozens of shell casings from various firearms, including 7.62mm cartridge casings, .40 caliber casings, and 9mm casings, along with fired projectiles and other evidence.
ALSO READ | 19-year-old denied bond for Harbor East murder, criminal past revealed
Detectives utilized surveillance footage from before and after the shooting, along with ballistic and forensic evidence, to identify Spinks as a suspect.
Authorities also obtained digital and cellphone data that placed Spinks near the scene at the time of the shooting and indicated that he left the area afterward.
Spinks was located in Washington, D.C., on November 1, 2024, and taken into custody.
After being advised of his rights, investigators said Spinks confessed to attempting to rob Peoples of his necklace and to shooting him.
Spinks also admitted to involvement in several other violent incidents in Baltimore between September 12 and October 4, 2024.
Now, Spinks will spend the rest of his life in prison.
WASHINGTON (7News) — After a gloomy and cool weekend, temperatures are set to return to near seasonal averages Monday with lots of sunshine to start the week.
Skies will remain clear through Monday with temperatures dropping back to the 40s.
Temperatures will remain near seasonal averages for the foreseeable future, with fewer chances of any extreme warm or cold over the next 5 to 7 days.
The next weather maker brings a chance for April showers on Tuesday. Rain is possible for the morning commute along the I-81 corridor, with rain inside the Capital Beltway by 10 a.m. Showers will move from west to east, giving way to cloudy skies after lunchtime. Rainfall totals will be .10″ or less.
Afternoon high temperatures will reach the mid-to-upper 60s, which is cooler than average for this time of year (average high is 72 degrees).
Showers remain in the forecast on Wednesday with seasonable temperatures. Severe storm threat remains low as beneficial rains will only help our drought conditions.
Morning showers will gradually clear and lead to afternoon sunshine. Breezy at times with northwest winds gusting up to 30 mph.
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Download the First Alert Weather app and stay updated with the latest forecasts.
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