Last week, D.C. Council passed a $77 million bill to allow harsher punishment for dangerous drivers. The legislation would create a point system for repeat offenders and allow the city to sue drivers from outside the city. Cuneyt Dil of Axios broke it down for us.
Why the Crackdown?
2023 saw 52 traffic deaths, a 16-year high for D.C. In 2015, Bowser launched “Vision Zero,” with the goal of having zero traffic related deaths, but the initiative has seen little progress. Additionally, D.C. racked up over $1.3 billion in unpaid traffic fines since 2000. Many of these are from out-of-state drivers that D.C. has no way to enforce.
The city is not going in the right direction, bottom line. Traffic deaths have gone up and the idea of Vision Zero, well, it's failed.
Cuneyt Dil, Axios reporter
D.C. police car on the chase. (Alex Smith/Flickr)
So, How Does This New Bill Help?
The legislation has four main components:
A new points system:
Under the current system, offending drivers get points assigned to their license. Under the new system, points would also get assigned to vehicles by traffic camera tickets and police officers. Get enough points and your car will be booted or towed.
Enforcing out-of-D.C. tickets:
Most of D.C.’s unpaid tickets are from Virginia and Maryland residents, and once they leave the District, the city has little recourse. This bill lets the Office of the Attorney General file civil lawsuits against drivers from anywhere.
Hiring speed governors:
Reckless drivers who get their license suspended would be required to install a speed governor, a device that limits a car's speed.
Drunk driving:
The bill also increases the penalties for drunk driving and closes loopholes that let drunk drivers keep their licenses.
What’s Next?
The legislation now goes to Bowser to sign, though she has expressed concern over the bill's high cost. If she signs it, Congress has 30 days to review it before it becomes law.
