Task force looks at lowering fines for speed and red light cameras

WASHINGTON – A D.C. task force is looking into whether it might be time to lower the fines on speed cameras and red light cameras.

“I want to see whether our increase in fines has actually meant anything in terms of fewer numbers of people speeding or going through red lights,” says D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh, (D-Ward 3), who formed the task force along with Councilmember Tommy Wells, (D-Ward 6).

The penalty for running a red light in D.C. is the same, whether an officer sees the driver or a camera snaps a photo — $150.

Get caught by a speed camera and the ticket will cost a driver as much as $250, depending on how fast a driver is going.

“There is one way to avoid the fine, and that is to stay within the law,” Cheh says.

The task force will hold meetings next week.

Cheh says the process of reviewing the fines could take several months.

WTOP’s Mark Segraves contributed to this story. Follow Mark and WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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