Set to go live Dec. 30, 100 traffic cameras, controlled by the Metropolitan Police Department, will continue in warning mode and not issue drivers any moving violation tickets.
“The warning period will be extended,” wrote MPD spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump in a Dec. 29 email to the media. “We are still issuing warning tickets. Warning tickets will continue to be issued until every location has 30 days of tickets.” MPD do not say when tickets would go live, as some of the camera have not yet been active for 30 days.
While drivers are used to getting tickets via photo for speeding and going through a red light, the new round of ticketing includes violations for failing to stop completely at a stop sign or failing to stop for pedestrians. Some drivers fail to stop completely at the stop-sign white line that is painted in front of the crosswalk. So, remember drivers: no more Jersey bounces or California rolls.
In its “D.C. StreetSafe” program, the MPD says: “Nationally, 20 percent of fatal crashes and nearly half of all injury crashes occur at intersections. Such crashes are easily preventable if the driver stops completely as required by law. The 32 new stop sign cameras are located near schools.
“Drivers should come to a complete stop prior to the stop bar at an intersection controlled by a stop sign or traffic signal. This allows the driver to look around and ensure that he or she has the right of way before continuing. The stop sign units use radar to detect if a vehicle stopped at, rolled through or ran a stop sign. Tickets will be issued when vehicles fail to stop at a stop sign. The MPD has a total of 32 stop sign cameras to identify vehicles passing a stop sign without coming to a full stop.”
The nearest locations in and around Georgetown are: 35th and R Streets; Calvert and 39th Streets; 24th and N Streets.
Fines are the same, as if a police officer issued them to you.
Red light: $150.
Failure to clear an intersection: $50.
Failure to stop at a stop sign: $50.
Overtaking a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian: $250.
Failure to yield right of way to a pedestrian: $75.
Speeding tickets vary.
