The Washington Times, in an occasional piece of halfway decent journalism, has a great article about DC’s speed camera program, which raises a boatload of money for the District, mostly on the driving habits of Marylanders, and doesn’t seem to curb any of the traffic issues. According to the article, traffic fatalities went up to 49 in 2005 from 45 in 2004, despite the addition of new speed and red light cameras.
The District has already collected $5 million in fines this year alone (Note, $100 of it was mine.) on pace toward $30 million in revenue.
So yes, I’m prejudiced against them because I got caught, but I guess I’m more upset that instead of just $50 (my fine), I didn’t get notified until the fine was already due, so I had to pay $100 or face more serious consequences while I fought the District’s commissioner of the revenue on the issue. But, if they’re not improving safety…and there are more fatalities…are the cameras doing any good except raising money for the District?
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
I live and work in the District of Columbia. I write at We Love DC, a blog I helped start, I work at Technolutionary, a company I helped start, and I’m happy doing both. I enjoy watching baseball, cooking, and gardening. I grow a mean pepper, keep a clean scorebook, and wash the dishes when I’m done. Read Why I Love DC.
