Drivers in Washington, D.C. would face impounding or booting of their motor vehicles when they receive multiple speeding or red light tickets if a bill introduced on Tuesday by Councilmember Elissa Silverman passes.
Owners would only be able to get their vehicle back by taking a driving course titled “Reckless Driver Accountability program” paid by themselves. The class must be taken by the owner within 90 days of the latest violation, regardless of who was behind the wheel when the camera caught the vehicle.
“The Reckless Driver Accountability Act of 2019” is targeting vehicles that have five or more tickets for excessive speeding or red-light running, or at least three tickets for driving more than 25 mph over the speed limit, within 365 days.
Tickets could be either from a speed camera or issued by police officers. All vehicles in the District would be affected by the proposed legislation, even if they are registered somewhere else.
According to Silverman, the bill would contribute to the District’s Vision Zero goal set by Mayor Muriel Bowser to end deaths and severe injuries resulting from traffic accidents by 2024.
“The legislation targets the region’s most reckless drivers and puts them in a restorative justice education program modeled on one in New York that has reduced dangerous driving incidents among participants by up to 40 percent,” Silverman said in a statement on the bill. “The course would feature small group sessions, with an emphasis on reducing harmful driving behavior by helping drivers understand the impact of their actions.”