By Re’Jon Jones
Special to the AFRO
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has announced the upcoming installation of speed limit cameras across Washington D.C. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance road safety by reducing accidents and encouraging safe driving. The proliferation of these cameras is a response to the rise of traffic fatalities seen in the past year. Over 40 cameras have been installed in the last month on roads with heavy traffic including Benning Road in Southeast, Rhode Island Ave. in Northeast in addition to U Street, Florida Ave. and Georgia Ave. in Northwest.
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Santiago Lakatos of ANC 1B said he is “pleased about the new speeding cameras and hope they will work to stop the speeding.”
Lakatos also recognized that, “while the cameras may not get rid of all excessive speeding, it does reduce speeding by 85 percent.”
These cameras will be installed in different locations across the Northwest, Northeast and Southeast quadrants, being placed in areas with a history of high accident and prevalent speeding violations. DDOT noted that once signage is posted informing drivers that speed is photo enforced, those in violation of the guidelines will be given a warning for 30 days. After this period, drivers will be fined anywhere from $100 to $500 for infractions.
Even the Metrobuses have been included in this push for road safety. Recently, 140 cameras were installed on buses throughout the city to fine unauthorized vehicles that may stop or park in bus lanes.
While safety is one of the main reasons for the installations, critics question if the increasing number of cameras is more about revenue generation than promoting safety. Some view these cameras as a form of taxation through fines.
“While the cameras may not rid of all excessive speeding, it does reduce speeding by 85 percent.”
“Fines are not a total solution and can be inequitable. Some want to change this toward points which I support,” Lakatos admits. “But also, as always, not speeding costs $0 extra dollars.”
Achieving a delicate balance between enforcing traffic laws and addressing public concerns is the ongoing challenge for D.C. officials.
Balancing safety goals with public sentiment is crucial for the success and acceptance of these measures. Over the years, officials have seen success with traffic enforcement cameras and have deemed them as extremely effective in controlling traffic centered incidents.
“I appreciate the city being concerned about the safety of its people,” said local driver Tyrell Williams. “I just feel like I would like to see the money made from these cameras be used in a positive way which continues to push safety for the city.”
According to DDOT, the surge in speed limit cameras across D.C. is a deliberate effort to bolster road safety. By addressing the issue of speeding, authorities aim to reduce accidents and ultimately save lives. The overarching objective is to instill a more responsible driving culture within the city.
The following roads will now feature speed cameras according to a DDOT press release:
- 4500 block of Benning Road SE, southeast bound
- 2500 block of Benning Road NE, southeast bound
- 2400 block of Benning Road NE, northwest bound
- 4900 block of Georgia Avenue NW, southbound
- 5700 block of Georgia Avenue NW, southbound
- 1500 block of Rhode Island Avenue NE, southwest-bound
- 2400 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW, northbound
- 2400 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW, southbound
- 300 block of New York Avenue NW, eastbound
- 300 block of New York Avenue NW, westbound
- 400 block of Florida Avenue NW, northwest-bound
- 600 block of Florida Avenue NW, southeast-bound
- 2500 block of Southern Avenue SE, northeast-bound
- 4600 block of Texas Avenue SE, northbound
- 3900 block of Southern Avenue SE, northeast-bound
- 5000 block of Southern Avenue SE, southwest-bound
- 5100 block of Southern Avenue SE, northeast-bound
- 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue SE, northwest-bound
- 1100 block of North Capitol Street NE, northbound
- 2500 block of North Capitol Street NE, northbound
- 5500 block of North Capitol Street NW, southbound
- 600 block of New York Avenue NW, eastbound
- 600 block of New York Avenue NW, westbound
- 2200 block of Georgia Avenue NW, southbound
- 2500 block of Georgia Avenue NW, southbound
- 2600 block of Georgia Avenue NW, northbound
- 1000 block of U Street NW, eastbound
- 1400 block of U Street NW, eastbound
- 1500 block of U Street NW, eastbound