Press Release: Councilmember Christina Henderson Introduces Legislation to Reduce Traffic Violence and Hold Serial Traffic Violators Accountable

News Release — At-large DC Council member Christina Henderson

For Immediate Release

September 19, 2022

Contact: Chantal Fuller, Communications Director

Washington, DC — Today, Councilmember Christina Henderson introduced the Automated Traffic Enforcement Effectiveness Amendment Act of 2022. While the District continues to work toward the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities by reducing speed limits and creating improved infrastructure, it is equally important to sharpen the tools at our disposal that address the main issue—drivers who violate traffic safety laws. This legislation will revise the penalties for moving violations. 

This legislation will require assessing one point against the driving record of an individual for each violation detected by an automated traffic enforcement (ATE) system and one additional point for a moving violation in a school zone. The first moving violation detected by an ATE system in a two-year period will be waived. 

Furthermore, parked vehicles with five or more unpaid moving violations will be towed or immobilized, as well as vehicles that display counterfeit, stolen, or otherwise fraudulent temporary identification tags. Additionally, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can waive assessed points after the driver completes a traffic safety course.
 
“This legislation would set the District on the path to be a leader in traffic enforcement systems that do not rely on law enforcement. it creates reasonable accommodations, while structuring consequences in the public and private spheres for serial violators. Speeding, running red lights and running stop signs threaten the livability of our neighborhoods and compromises the safety of children, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers,” said Councilmember Henderson. “The District’s reliance on fines as penalties is not and cannot be the only option at our disposal. Traffic violence must end, and we must use and hone all available tools to meet this crisis.”
 
The Automated Traffic Enforcement Effectiveness Amendment Act of 2022 was co-introduced by Councilmembers Brianne K. Nadeau, Brooke Pinto, Charles Allen, and Elissa Silverman.

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