Speed Cameras in DC

Speed cameras use radar to detect vehicles that are traveling over the posted speed limit, which then triggers the camera to photograph the rear of the vehicle including the license plate. Speed cameras are found throughout the DC area in locations selected by the DC Metropolitan Police Department and are used to reduce the number of traffic accidents and injuries associated with speeding as well as make certain areas safer, such as school zones where children are walking.

Speeding Laws in DC

DC Municipal Regulation 18 Section 2200 states that no person shall drive a vehicle in DC on a street or highway at a speed in excess of the maximum speed limit. If caught doing so, an individual may be issued a speeding ticket which is a traffic infraction that is handled at the DMV.

Penalties For Speeding

Depending on how high above the limit an individual was going, someone can face fines of up to $250 and traffic points against a person’s license. If traveling 1 to 10 mph over the posted speed limit, the individual will receive two points. If traveling 11 to 15 mph over the speed limit, they will receive three points. If traveling 16 to 20 mph over the posted speed limit, they will receive four points. For traveling 21 or over miles per hour over the posted speed limit, someone will receive five points.

Unless your speeding results in a reckless driving charge, there are no criminal ramifications as this infraction is handled at the DMV and not the DC Superior Courthouse.

Speed Camera Enforcment

The Metropolitan Police Department deploys any speed cameras through which someone would receive a speed camera citation. Additionally, an officer from the Department may pull you over and issue you a speeding infraction. However, all payments or adjudications services, if the ticket is contested, are handled by the DC DMV.

Typically if someone is caught speeding by a camera, a notice of infraction is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle after an analysis of the license plate in the photograph. Once you have been notified, you must either pay a fine (which maybe up to $250) or request an administrative hearing to contest the ticket.

Can You Appeal?

You may request an administrative hearing at the DMV if you choose to contest your citation. If you’re not happy with the hearing examiner’s decision, you can submit a Motion for Reconsideration within thirty days of the hearing examiner’s decision.

Building a Defense

You may receive a speeding ticket even if you were not speeding, if at the time your license plate was photographed by the speed camera, you were not the individual driving the vehicle.  You are able to prove your innocence by contesting the ticket and appearing at an administrative hearing with evidence establishing that you were elsewhere at the time of the alleged violation. For example, you may provide a time-card from your employer or a plane ticket.