Reply to DC issued nearly one million tickets to drivers over six month period in DC

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]All these things can be true:
-Drivers need to drive safer and slower. 
-Many DC cameras are set up to maximize revenue and have little to do with safety
-That said, cameras can and do effectively change driver habits when deployed with safety in mind.
-[b]If safety is the primary goal, big honking signs saying MANY SPEED CAMERAS AHEAD would be deployed.[/b] (Note: They are not.)
-[b]Many DC speed limits are set artificially low in order to make the 10-over ticket-trigger lower[/b]. For instance, a speed limit of 25 mph on Conn. Ave in DC is a joke. 30 used to be the limit. But now, 35 will get you a ticket, not 40, so that's why it is set at 25.
-MD and VA drivers should pay their tickets. I paid my MD ticket (only one so far in 10 years!). Was last year in Rockville, and it was $40. Which brings me to my final point...
-[b]DC's $100 fine is set too high and is obviously predatory[/b]. If deterrence --not revenue-- is the goal, make it $50. People will get the message!
[/quote]

I agree with the first bolded point to an extent. What DC should do is put camera boxes on every block on the city (i.e., thousands) and then move the hundred or so cameras between them on a randomized basis. This would serve the goal of slowing traffic across the entire city rather than just the few spots where everyone who is not a complete ignoramus knows them to be. That DC doesn't do this and directs speed camera revenue to the general fund suggests to me that, yes, at least part of the goal is to raise revenue.

DC speed limits are not "set artificially low". A 35 mph impact will kill most pedestrians and cyclists; a 25 mph impact is generally a serious injury, but usually not death. Outside of 295, 395, and 695, almost all streets in DC have pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, or host bicycle and e-scooter riders. There is no good reason why DC should encourage drivers to endanger these people's lives just to allow drivers a few extra seconds to hang out at the next red light.

The $100 fine is applied to drivers who are traveling at least 11 mph above the posted limit. Per the point above, such speeds are incredibly dangerous and the high fine is warranted to deter them. The argument that lowering the fine is necessary to deliver the "message" is silly. What DC should do, however, is introduce smaller fines ($40 or $50) for drivers caught doing 5-10 mph above the limit.

It's very difficult to have sympathy for those who catch speeding tickets in DC. It is every driver's responsibility to obey the rules of the road, of which speed limits are among the most important. Drivers who decide to speed assume the risk that they will be caught and sanctioned accordingly. Claims that DC's cameras are "predatory" are very childish. The speed limits are clearly posted and every speed camera is preceded not just with a sign with the speed limit but with a notice that the speed limit is enforced by camera. Moreover, the locations of every speed limit in the city are posted not just on the DDOT website, but included in every navigation app (Waze, Google Maps etc.).

If you not only fail to obey basic road rules but also ignore all the multitude of visual prompts that you are approaching a speed camera, you really need to examine your self-control, respect for the life and well-being of others, and whatever it is you are doing in your vehicle that causes you to be so oblivious to your surroundings.[/quote]

Well, you are very opinionated. The 25mph speed limit on Independence coming around the armory/RFK is awfully low for a road like that. It's practically a limited access highway at that point. Should be higher after the school.  
[/quote]

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