Stop DC CAMERA Act Kills Automated Speed Cameras and Restores Right Turn on Red Authority

The aptly named Stop DC CAMERA Act aims to scrap two specific traffic enforcement tools currently used by the District of Columbia. This bill isn’t about tweaking existing rules; it’s about outright eliminating the authority for D.C. to operate automated traffic enforcement systems—the speed cameras that issue tickets—and also removing the city’s power to prohibit right turns on red lights at certain intersections. Essentially, if this bill passes, D.C. loses the ability to run its speed camera program and must allow right turns on red everywhere unless standard traffic signals prohibit it.

The End of Automated Ticketing

For anyone who has received a ticket in the mail after a camera flash, this is the big one. Section 2 of the bill explicitly wipes out the section of the D.C. Traffic Act of 1925 that gives the city the green light to use automated speed cameras. The immediate, real-world impact is that enforcement of speeding violations in D.C. would rely solely on police officers pulling people over. For drivers, this means fewer surprise tickets showing up in the mail. For residents, however, this could translate into a noticeable increase in speeding, as automated systems often serve as a significant deterrent, especially on high-speed corridors or near schools.

Back to Basics: Right Turn on Red

This bill also targets the authority D.C. uses to put up signs banning right turns on red at specific traffic signals. By repealing this authority, the bill forces D.C. to allow right turns on red unless the intersection is otherwise restricted by standard signage or law. This might save drivers a few seconds at an intersection, but it raises questions about pedestrian safety, particularly in dense urban areas. Those specific 'No Turn on Red' signs were often placed at complex or high-traffic intersections where allowing the turn was deemed unsafe for people crossing the street. Removing this local safety tool means the city loses a key mechanism for managing pedestrian risk at tricky spots.

Who Feels the Change?

The biggest beneficiaries here are drivers who dislike automated enforcement and the revenue it generates for the city. If you drive through D.C. regularly and are tired of the constant threat of a camera ticket, this legislation is a win. However, the cost is likely borne by D.C. residents and those concerned with traffic safety. The District government loses control over two major traffic management tools, potentially leading to more dangerous roads. When you remove a system that enforces speed 24/7, you’re betting that human enforcement can fill the gap. Historically, that’s a tough bet to win, meaning the daily commute might get faster, but potentially much riskier for everyone else on the road.