A new bill introduced by D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen would grant ordinary people the right to ticket illegally parked cars in the District.
With respect to the plan which is a part of his “Vision Zero Omnibus Act,” Allen told Fox 5 D.C. that the system would work via a mobile phone app.
A selected group of individuals would be able to take a picture of any violation they witness by using the app and issue a ticket through it.
“It would start small. Just 10 people per ward. They would be trained and made sure they would be ready to go,” Allen said.
“When they see a vehicle that is blocking a bike lane, blocking the crosswalk, blocking a fire hydrant, they would have the ability using an app on their phone to be able to take a picture and actually have a ticket that will be issued,” he explained.
Officially entitled the “Vision Zero Enhancement Omnibus Amendment Act of 2019,” is addressing a number of problems regarding traffic safety. It followed last month’s deadly accidents. Allen’s bill also stipulates protected bike lanes.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s “Vision Zero” goal set in 2015 aiming to reduce traffic deaths by 2024 seems to be failing so far, as the number of such accidents rising each year.
According to Allen, the new program is required because parking violations can pose serious safety risks particularly for bikers and scooter riders.
However, some individuals are not happy with the bill.
Meanwhile Washington DC is looking into actively *supporting* citizens to report traffic offenses and issuing penalties based solely on their photographic evidence. https://t.co/PzDSRpJKXN
If you were sent a video of a car crash, a robbery or a violent crime you'd gladly accept.
— Stephen Purcell (@snappieT) May 11, 2019
https://t.co/rRpIwa3YuM About a week ago I read about a couple of people in New York who were making money reporting traffic violations, basically snitching, and said to myself, yeah, a large contingent of people who live in DC would be on board for bullshit.
— Big Daddy Fun Buck$ (@C_Webby) May 10, 2019