DC Traffic Cameras Could Give You Points on Your License Under New Bill

Drivers in Washington, D.C., could have one thing new to fret about as they go visitors cameras: beneath a brand new invoice launched to the D.C. Council, they might give drivers caught breaking the regulation factors on their licenses. 

Council Member At-large Christina Henderson authored the invoice as a technique to fight a latest rise in visitors deaths.

In keeping with the laws, 37 folks died in 2021 attributable to visitors violence, which represented a 10-year excessive. Proponents argue the brand new visitors digicam penalties would additionally unlock law enforcement officials throughout the town.  

“This laws would set the District on the trail to be a frontrunner in visitors enforcement techniques,” Henderson mentioned in an announcement. “We should use and hone all obtainable instruments to fulfill this disaster.”

Some pedestrians and bikers are prepared for the council to crackdown on security.

“I believe it positively has the potential to work. As a biker within the metropolis, it may be actually scary good beside one other automobile, feeling like they will do no matter or go as quick as they need, so something that will insure the protection or extra security for our pedestrians or bikers could be nice,” bike owner Isabelle Williams mentioned.

​Henderson mentioned she appears to be like ahead to a debate on the invoice, however acknowledges that it might be a troublesome promote for some D.C. drivers.

“I believe that is terrible. I believe it is an invasion of privateness. I believe in the event that they’re gonna make me pay, that they should catch me,” driver Cutter Hodierne mentioned. “We’re happening a slippery slope the place you’re taking photographs to get folks for crimes and I believe, what severely, like what’s subsequent? What’s going to they be getting us for subsequent?”

Others are usually not satisfied of the cameras effectiveness.

“I don’t suppose they’re a nuisance,” driver Kara Davis mentioned. “I do not suppose they’re doing a lot to forestall the problems that visitors presents within the metropolis. I believe folks nonetheless take numerous unlawful turns. I believe they’re nonetheless going proper on reds once they shouldn’t. There are a bunch of pedestrians and bikes being hit.”

​A consultant for Henderson’s workplace mentioned now that the invoice has been launched, they anticipate a referral to the transportation committee. Then it should want a listening to and markup earlier than the council can vote.

No date has been set for that listening to.