Washington, DC, has introduced a new law that enables the city to hold drivers from Maryland accountable for breaking traffic laws within the capital. This significant change comes under the Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education, and Responsibility Act (STEER Act), which gives DC officials the power to enforce traffic rules more effectively across state lines.
In April, Washington officials passed the STEER Act, which outlined several measures to improve road safety and ensure compliance with traffic laws. Now, they’ve gone further, updating the legislation to allow DC prosecutors to pursue Maryland drivers for violations that occur in the city.
As of this week, the attorney general of Washington, DC, has the authority to file civil lawsuits against drivers from Maryland who commit infractions in the capital. This means that drivers from neighboring states can no longer evade the consequences of reckless driving, parking violations, or speeding tickets simply because they live across the state border.
This law was proposed by DC Councilmember Charles Allen, who highlighted a staggering example on his website of a Maryland driver who had accumulated over $180,000 in unpaid fines. Allen pointed out that, until now, drivers could break the law with little fear of punishment, knowing they were largely immune to enforcement across state lines.
“This new authority will allow them to go after scofflaws to show drivers the city means business,” Allen stated, underscoring the importance of holding all drivers accountable, regardless of where they live.
The updated legislation follows a tragic incident where a Maryland driver with $20,000 in unpaid tickets struck a 12-year-old girl who was lawfully crossing the street. Despite the severity of the accident, the driver only received a ticket and a reckless driving charge. The girl’s mother, Deirdre Allen, expressed her frustration over the leniency of the punishment, telling *The Washington Post*:
“If someone hit her with his fists, he would get arrested, but he hit her with a car, so he just gets a ticket and can walk away.”
Under the STEER Act, drivers convicted of reckless driving may also have a speed governor installed in their vehicles, a device that limits how fast a car can go. This measure aims to curb dangerous driving behavior and reduce accidents.
Another significant provision of the new law is that people whose cars are stolen will not be held responsible for tickets or fines incurred by the thief. This offers some relief to victims of car theft who may otherwise have faced penalties for infractions committed without their knowledge.
The legislative changes are part of a broader initiative led by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser called Vision Zero, which seeks to eliminate traffic-related deaths in the city. The program was aimed at reducing fatalities to zero by the end of the year, but tragically, 42 people have already lost their lives in traffic incidents in 2023—an 11% increase from last year.
The STEER Act is just one part of the city’s efforts to combat dangerous driving and make the streets safer. While more laws are expected to be introduced, the program’s expansion is currently awaiting additional funding. One of the future measures under consideration is a point system that would penalize drivers each time they are caught speeding by traffic cameras.
With traffic cameras becoming increasingly common across the country, drivers should be more vigilant about obeying speed limits. In residential areas, for example, where no speed limit signs are posted, drivers should assume the limit is 20 mph.
One driver recently shared her story of receiving a $300 fine for speeding in a town she had never visited, highlighting the growing impact of automated traffic enforcement across the nation.
To avoid unnecessary trouble during traffic stops, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) advises drivers to follow some simple guidelines:
1. Stop your vehicle in a safe location away from traffic as soon as you can.
2. Turn off the engine, roll down the windows, and keep your hands on the steering wheel. If it’s dark, turn on the interior lights for better visibility.
3. Wait until the officer instructs you to reach for your purse, wallet, registration, or proof of insurance.
4. Avoid sudden movements and narrate your actions. For example, say, “I’m reaching for my wallet in the backseat.”
5. Keep your tone respectful and calm at all times.
These updates to traffic law in DC represent a significant shift in how the city enforces road safety and holds drivers accountable, regardless of where they live. With ongoing efforts to reduce traffic-related deaths and accidents, it’s clear that Washington, DC, is taking road safety seriously, making sure that all drivers, local or out-of-state, follow the rules.
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