Testimony of
Lucinda Babers, Director
Department of Motor Vehicles
Before the
Committee on the Environment,
Public Works and Transportation
Mary Cheh, Chairperson
Monday, November 5, 2012
11 am – Room 412
The Wilson Building
Washington, DC
Good Morning, Chairperson Cheh, Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Barry, Councilmembers of the Committee and staff. My name is Lucinda Babers, and I am the Director of the District’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Today I am here on behalf of Mayor Vincent C. Gray to discuss B19-1013, Safety-Based Traffic Enforcement Amendment Act of 2012.
Public safety, especially traffic safety, is one of the cornerstones of Mayor Gray’s Administration. The on-going discussions surrounding automated traffic enforcement, including concerns regarding fine amounts, resulted in the Administration conducting a comprehensive review of traffic safety. This review has led to three key initiatives which include modifying three moving violation fine amounts, conducting a traffic study on speed limits throughout the District and using increased moving violation revenue to hire additional police officers.
In regards to moving violation fine changes, the Mayor directed DMV to decrease the fine from $75 to $50 for speeding up to 10mph over the speed limit, to decrease the fine from $125 to $100 for speeding 11mph to 15mph over the speed limit and to increase the fine from $250 to $300 for speeding over 25 mph over the speed limit.
DMV used its authority, as indicated in DC Code Section 50-2301.05, to adopt emergency rulemaking on November 2, 2012 to make the indicated three fine changes. The changes, which are effective today, November 5, 2012, are applicable to both moving violations and photo enforcement violations.
Based on the Mayor’s traffic safety initiatives, we believe the concerns which prompted Bill B19-1013 have been addressed. We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this public hearing on this important issue. It would be our pleasure to respond to any questions you may have. Thank you!