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Washington DC Speed Cameras Hit $100m In Revenue

by Jeff Cohn | Saturday, May 20, 2006 | , , , , , , , , , , , | 45 comments »


The Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department collected a record $3.3 million in fines from its automated speed cameras in March -- increasing the five-year-old program's total revenue to more than $100 million. The program began with six cruisers outfitted with cameras and now has 10 cameras at fixed locations and 12 camera-equipped vehicles rotating through nearly 80 enforcement zones. The speed-camera program is part of the District's expanding automated traffic-enforcement strategy that has collected more than $138 million since 1999. The city's 49 red-light cameras have generated more than $35 million, including $5.2 million last year.

45 comments

  1. Melissa // March 21, 2007  

    Great job raping the citizens of money YAY!

  2. Anonymous // June 25, 2009  

    Has the crime rate gone down now that DC has tons of money for more police?

  3. Anonymous // July 13, 2009  

    I just received a $200 ticket from one of these DC cameras. I find it to be unethical to receive a ticket in the mail. I have been driving for 23 years and this is my first ticket. I obey traffic laws and typically I am the minivan that all the other cars on the highway are passing out. Apparently this ticket was given to me on the SE/SW Freeway @ 9th street. It says the posted speed limit is 40 and I was doing 59. I must have not seen that sign because I always drive around 60 on the highway. The picture they sent me shows a 3 lane highway with no other cars around. How could the speed limit be 40? It seems like a trap to me. I wish a police officer pulled me over so I could have at least discussed this with him. Since I am not from the DC area at all, and was only visiting DC with my family I have no way of going to a hearing to argue my case. This is a travesty. This is the last time I will visit DC and support their local economy. You would think they would use some of that 100 million dollars to get the homeless off of every street corner.

  4. Anonymous // September 25, 2009  

    I too received a ticket in the mail for driving 50 mph in a 40 on the SE.SW Freeway @ 9th street entrance. Why is a 40 mph speed limit on a freeway? Free money, that's why!!

    Thanks a bunch for taking more money from me while visiting your city plagued with inadequate parking and mediocre restaurants.

    Come to our nation's capital so we can screw you over and over again.

  5. Anonymous // September 30, 2009  

    I also received a ticket in the mail for doing 50 in the 40 mph zone on the SE.SW freeway at 9th street. It's some bullshit if you ask me

  6. Anonymous // October 05, 2009  

    SE SW -- I received a ticket in the same location 61 over 40 but there is a car in front of me in the picture. Was I going fast or was the other driver?

  7. Anonymous // October 10, 2009  

    same location se/sw 56 in a 40. I thought it was posted 45... but then ITS A HIGHWAY!!!! 50mph should be min.

  8. Anonymous // October 22, 2009  

    Same place - ticketed for 40 mph on the freeway. What a ripoff.

  9. Anonymous // October 26, 2009  

    same location, I was supposedly going 60mph in 40mph...$100 fine. How do I know it's true...they could be printing random speed:

    "As of last month, the District's private photo enforcement contractors had mailed a total of 4,019,023 tickets worth a total of $305 million. That is equivalent to one ticket not just for every resident of Washington, DC, but for every single resident of the District plus surrounding Virginia and Maryland suburbs."
    http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/28/2890.asp

  10. Anonymous // October 28, 2009  

    I would like to protest this so-called 40 mph speed limit on the SE/SW highway. Really, how would one know its 40 mph on a 3 lane highway!! And I like how they now have signs stating this but no cautious that its photo enforced. Supposely I was going 51 mph, I remember that day and I was not in any rush or trying to speed. This is just a very insane speed limit for a 3 lane highway and there is no option on it to protest on this ticket either!

  11. Anonymous // November 03, 2009  

    I received a ticket notice from my rental car company charging me an admin fee and saying DC police would be issuing a direct citation via mail. What kind of due process is this? I was visiting from Houston and can't remember a time I got over 30 mph driving around anywhere in that city. What a ripoff!!!

  12. Anonymous // November 03, 2009  

    I was a visitor to DC for 4 days contributing about $1500 to the area's economy. And yet I receive from my rental company a $30 processing fee and a citation that is due to arrive shortly. What kind of lame-brain process is this?
    We voted down mobile camera citing in Hawaii. If there is another vehicle in the image, Ill contest. I'll let you know.

  13. Anonymous // November 10, 2009  

    same with me....9th st camera 59 in a 40 at 11 AM with no other cars around...i am going to request mail adjudication

  14. Anonymous // November 14, 2009  

    I have received TWO 51's in a 40mph THIS MONTH on this so-called "SE/Frwy 9th street entrance"!
    ...And i think my THIRD, a couple months, ago was also 51/40 on this same road?
    (i have 7 all together in the past year)
    I'm an Estimator for an Insurance Comp, so i travel DC alot. I thought i knew where most the speed-cameras were. But this one has me puzzled (and broke!)

  15. Anonymous // November 14, 2009  

    PS. Don't bother purchasing that 'PhotoBlocker' spray either. I can confirm that crap doesn't work. I sprayed 3/4 of a bottle on my rear license plate and received both of those 9th street tickets since!

  16. Anonymous // November 16, 2009  

    I've received 3 tickets in the past month at this same location -- I can't believe the speed limit is 40MPH on a freeway!

  17. Anonymous // November 20, 2009  

    I now have 3 camera tickets from the SE/SW FRWY 9th st entrance . Unbelievable

  18. Anonymous // November 30, 2009  

    I took a wrong turn for 495 and ended up in downtown DC. I was heading North to attend a funeral and I never or at least thought I never exceeded 5 MPH over the speed limit. It got me for doing 56 in a 40 zone at SE/SW FRWY 9 St Entrance. 9 am and no one on the road and 3 lanes, no wonder I never thought I exceeded the speed limit. This Big Brother stuff is unacceptable. You wonder why the population disapproves of the work of our government when all they do is find new ways to take our money. I bet the private company that monitors these stations are raking in the cash. I will never go to DC ever again.

  19. Alan // December 06, 2009  

    Identical. I received a ticket for 56 in a 40 at SE/SW FRWY 9th St. Entrance. Why is the speed limit on a six lane divided FREEWAY with no traffic lights 40 mph?

    A freeway is a type of road designed for safer HIGH-SPEED operation of motor vehicles through the elimination of at-grade intersections. Traffic is free-flowing with limited access.

    Why are they wasting their time giving speeding tickets on one of the safer limited access roads in DC, one of the areas with the FEWEST accidents?

  20. John // December 13, 2009  

    Received tkt at same location. 60 m in 40 m SE/SW FRWY 9th St. It is a money making scam because they target out of state drivers who cannot come back to contest. Nothing i can do. There is no way for me to know if I was actually going at 60. Will never visit again.

  21. Anonymous // December 31, 2009  

    Posted speed-limit signs are not visible in high volume merge areas where focused driving is required. To be fair, the city should clearly post signs warning of the reduction in speed, traveling from Virginia into DC on SE/SW freeway.

  22. Anonymous // January 25, 2010  

    I got a ticket similar to yours 15 days ago. Yesterday, I tried to drive under or around 40 mile per hour at the spot (because I got a ticket 25 days ago for driving 56 mile mph, evry one else was driving around 60 mph and above!)and got a shot from speed cameras again! I expect the ticket coming soon to my residence. But, is this legal for DC Police overzealous and wrongfully accusing a driver for speeding? If this is true, we motorists should do something, such as a class action to protest this unfair practice by DC police.

  23. Anonymous // February 25, 2010  

    Just got a ticket from these crooks. They really screwed up this time. The very poor photograph shows a a big black SUV. Problem is my car is a very small white sports car. My plates are all white and black. They show a plate with some fancy design on the top and bottom. On the date of the ticket I was at home 1500 miles away. I haven't been to DC in five years and my 31 year old car couldn't make it that far. This is plainly a scam.

  24. Anonymous // February 27, 2010  

    Got a notice from rental Car Company for speeding, red light (Macro) citation at SE/SW freeway @ 9th Street from October 2009. Had no clue what it was all about. Was passing through DC to Baltimore and never heard of a 40 mph speed limit on a three lane highway. What kind of crap is this, and who is promoting this kind of unconstitutional activity around our nation’s capital.

  25. Anonymous // April 23, 2010  

    Every time I hear something about DC government. I got sick in my stomach.
    They trap motorist by limit speed to 40mph at freeway entrance. DC: BUNCH OF CROOK. If you don't pay the fine they report the ticket to credit score company. And when you need to borrow money, it will cost you a lot.

  26. Anonymous // May 17, 2010  

    After receiving a ticket at the NW E/B SE/SW Freeway in the mail, I drove the route to see if I could find at least 1 sign that stated there was a 40 mile per hour zone. All the posted signs are either 45 or 50!

  27. Anonymous // May 19, 2010  

    Like the rest of you, I received a Notice of Infaction for doing 53 mph on the SE/SW Frwy @ 9th Street Entrance. Afer reading all the postings, I wonder if more notices are sent to people with out-of-state license plates, as it would be more difficult for them to show up for a hearing. I never saw a sign indicating the speed limit was 40 or speed was monitored by doppler radar. There's also another vehicle in the picture on my citation, which completely contradicts the back of the citation - "The camera will not take a photograph if....there is more than one vehicle in the radar beam." Crazy.

  28. Anonymous // July 10, 2010  

    I'm an out-of-state driver (Delaware) and I also recently got a ticket on SE/SW Freeway @ 9th St. Entrance (for 58 mph in the 40 mph area).

    I used Google Maps Streetview to see if a sign for the 40 mph zone is posted, and indeed it is about the spot where the freeway crosses 4th street. See here. In fact, right here you can even see a DC police car parked in exactly the spot where they take the photos. Right here is a news article that shows you the camera mounted in a DC police car. If you look on the Google Streeview, you can see the exact spot where your car was when the photo of it was taken.

    I'm pretty angry because I agree that it is silly to have a 40 mph zone at that spot. But at least I don't feel like I got completely scammed. The sign is there...we just weren't paying attention.

    More discussion is here.

  29. Anonymous // July 18, 2010  

    Did anyone try fighting it? What was the outcome?

  30. Anonymous // July 27, 2010  

    I am in the process of trying to fight the ticket that I got in the exact same area. Before I file a mail adjudication, I am trying to get information about the area. I want to know what the posted limit is before it changes to 40, if there is a reduced speed ahead warning sign, how long on the road it is 40mph, if it is only certain lanes and why it is 40 on a freeway. I have called 6 times. I've been shuffled around, told that someone was in the hall and they would get him then he was suddenly on sick leave, and when they figured I had made too much trouble, I was sent to the legal department. I got an email that I would be CHARGED to get written answers to my questions!! They don't want to answer my questions. Anyone else who wants to bug them call: 202-671-2800. This is the traffic mgt center. Ask to have these questions answered. You can also respond to me at kpzaal@hotmail.com This is unfair and I want to go to major news media with this.

  31. Anonymous // July 29, 2010  

    I fought a ticket and won. The photo was blurry and I use that as my defense. Just found out today that I won!!!

  32. Lee // July 29, 2010  

    My husband & I just received a ticket a few weeks ago and I remember the area where we got the ticket because I recall asking my husband why he was driving so slow on the highway. It's obvious what DC is doing to its visitors and residents and it's really sad. Now I see how they can afford to increase their police force when most states are scaling back. I will be contesting the ticket just to make a point, in the end, if we still have to pay the ticket, it will be anothe lesson learned. DC is not visitor friendly.

  33. Anonymous // August 07, 2010  

    I too received a $125 citation for going 53mph and the posted (although I've never seen anything posted) speed was 40mph. The location was SE/SW FRWY @ 9th Street Entrance SE E/B. And the picture showed my truck the ONLY vehicle on the road. This was mid-day on a weekday and I'm the only one on the road...sounds funny to me! AND I have never driven 40mph on that Freeway it's impossible but now all of a sudden a citation! My sister says she's never driving in DC again. She's been hit too at other locations.

  34. Anonymous // August 18, 2010  

    08/18/2010 I received a citation in the mail yesterday - same place going 52. I was upset then but now really mad to see all these comments. Outrageous! I have been driving 45 years and this is my second ticket. ($125.) Just another example of Washington's money making schemes. Just imagine how many people - not on this link have been screwed! There are NO other cars in the picture I received - north or south. I believe that to be impossible at 11:03 am. 0n Aug. 2! I too have out of state plates. Add me to the list of those no longer visiting DC! (Damn Corrupt)

  35. Anonymous // August 23, 2010  

    I just received my second ticket for the same area. My first ticket was location: SE/SW FRWY @ 8TH ST EXIT SE (W/B). The violation states that the posted speed is 45mph. Now, today I received the second ticket stating the posted speed is 40mph for location: SE/SW FRWY @ 9th St Entrance SE E/B... Augh... what gives? I decreased my speed to 55mph in what I thought was a 45mph zone... now, they say the posted speed is 40mph... augh... make up your minds. I travel this route to Annapolis, however, think I will be sticking to 95 & 50 as an alternate route.

  36. Anonymous // September 10, 2010  

    They are betting on the fact that people do not drive perfect all the time. I racked up 300 bucks in tickets. 2 separate tickets that one day. 1 did not know there was a hands free law. i have not been in dc in in8 year. Did not see any signs due to just entering the city. the other and camera on New york ave entering the city from 695 they do not give you much time to adjust to the traffic. you miss the speed and its your but.

  37. Anonymous // September 10, 2010  

    They are betting on the fact that people do not drive perfect all the time. I racked up 300 bucks in tickets. 2 separate tickets that one day. 1 did not know there was a hands free law. i have not been in dc in in8 year. Did not see any signs due to just entering the city. the other and camera on New york ave entering the city from 695 they do not give you much time to adjust to the traffic. you miss the speed and its your but.

  38. Craig // September 13, 2010  

    I got clipped by this SE/SW FRWY speed trap also. My second ticket after 45 years of driving (1st was in college). Readers might consider writing the Washington Post to ask their Dr Gridlock column to look into the issue. Here was my note which includes the Wash Post email address. Dr Gridlock also has a blog.


    From:
    Sent: Monday, September 13, 2010 11:56 AM
    To: 'transportation@washpost.com'
    Subject: possible article SE/SW FRWY

    You may have information for a Dr Gridlock article, if you have not written it already, from the recent comments on this old 2006 blog article, especially the July 2010 and later comments:

    http://blog.photoenforced.com/2006/05/washington-dc-speed-cameras-hit-100m.html

    I guess the twist is this makes a very tricky speed camera location because the signage is inconsistent and inadequate and the speed limit of 40 is unjustified.

    The DC DOT should be encouraged to make the signage consistent and more visible and consider carefully, based on traffic incidents, whether they can justify a 40 mph speed limit. The DC Police should carefully consider whether this is a fair location to encourage slower driving by enforcement, or whether it is just an easy speed trap location to administer.

  39. Anonymous // September 30, 2010  

    Another out of state driver (NJ) commenting on a ridiculous photo ticket. I received a second notice yesterday - never having received the first one. The photo was on the SE/SW FRWY @ 9th St Entrance. I was the only car on the road at 7:30 AM on a Saturday. Has anyone figured out how to dispute the ticket successfully - other than the blurry photo, or not-my-car defense?

  40. Anonymous // October 20, 2010  

    My wife received a $250 ticket for supposedly doing 46MPH on 295 in DC (work zone with 35MPH post: The work is in the opposite direction, on a divided highway with a 10' chain link fence between sides; the time was 0802, and there are no workers in evidence); the fine was doubled to $500 because we never received the first notice.

    This is totally absurd.

  41. Anonymous // November 06, 2010  

    On a trip from NY to NC I had the misfortune of traveling on DC295 @ Eastern Ave SB and recieved a $250 photo ticket in the mail for 46 mph in a 35mph work zone. first of all this road is very poorly marked the speed limit signs are well hidden. Second, the alleged construction is also well hidden - from the photo there are three clearly unobstructed lanes with no visable sign of road work! Because I live so far away I am requesting mail adjuducation - This type of ticketing is outrageous and this will be my last trip through Washington DC!

  42. lance // November 23, 2010  

    Corrupt, horrible, deplorable, snakes in power. I got a ticket for going 51 on this FOUR lane highway...I requested mail adjudication because there was CLEARLY a second vehicle in the picture...just got the court's decision today that said that the other car in the picture was more than 2 car lengths away and that my fine is still being charged...WHAT??!? How can you POSSIBLY tell that it's more than 2 car lengths away and where is that even written in the law?? These assholes are just making shit up to steal YOUR money because they have nothing valuable to contribute to society. There is precedence in another case posted online that showed a vehicle partially pictured along with the subject vehicle in which this case was dismissed...and now my case they are saying that my fine is still assessed because the other vehicle in the picture is more than 2 car lengths away...bullSHIT.

  43. Anonymous // December 24, 2010  

    Its is Dec 24th and I received in the mail a 400 dollar rip off ticket from washington DC saying I was doing 52 in a 35 mph zone, Ive had a perfect driving record my whole life and I work hard trying to support my family. We went to washington for our vacation and this is my reward. I will never visit that rip off city ever again ! This camera ticketing is being run by a bunch of crooks. Washington DC area sucks ! I will never ever go to rip off land again !!

  44. Titus // January 15, 2011  

    Yall know what I got a ticket SAME SW SUITLAND PARK WAY, and that damm tunnle.. They got me twice my ticket is 250.00 the other one is $300.00, than another came in 280, then all of them doubled..U know what "F" them i aint paying SH!T! i work hard for my money !! it a damn trap! AM not paying them i need to be able to eat and feed my kids and pay my car note and pay my rent my apt complex dont want to hear bout no ticket sh!t! i wrote the ticket place back and i said "LOOK i dont got time for this i barely bring home enough to feed my self and my kids and this damn dog, Mr. dog dont know it yet but he better fine a job someone where before he he get put out, he need to find a job eatting or chasing cats away something to bring in a check!" I told them they might as well chop these tickest up as a lost and if they gonna put it on my credit good i dont care it will fall off one day problem solved!

  45. Anonymous // March 21, 2011  

    Seems I'm part of a cast of thousands who've been fleeced by DC (yes, both the Congress/White House and the local "government") speed trap. Having just gotten off the auto train from FL on July 29, 2010, I lit off the GPs to get thru DC about 10:30 a.m. The GPS sent me via the SE/SW Frwy and past (or on) the 9th St. entrance. Not familiar with the area, I kept asking my wife if she saw a speed limit sign, but she could not see any such indicator of the speed. I was sent a violation notice for 53 in a 40 zone. Because we were away for over a month, there was an additional $125 tacked onto the $125 fine for tardiness. I contested the violation and the late fee. I received 3/19/2011 the examiner's response. The late fee was waived but not the fine. I paid it, but DC is off my route forever to the NE.

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