Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation is preparing a proposal that could bring an abrupt end to Washington’s massive network of automated traffic enforcement cameras — a move that would likely please many drivers but leave a significant hole in the city’s budget.
According to a draft document sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget and obtained by POLITICO, the plan would ban speed, red-light, and stop-sign cameras across the District as part of a broader surface transportation bill Congress hopes to pass this year.
The proposal states that it would “prohibit the operation of automated traffic camera enforcement in the District of Columbia.” After news of the plan became public, a DOT spokesperson said the agency is still reviewing multiple transportation policy options and that no final decision has been made.
A System That Grew Into a Major Revenue Source
Washington began using red-light cameras in 1999, but the system has expanded dramatically over the past two decades. Today, the city operates 546 active traffic enforcement cameras, covering everything from speeding and red-light violations to bus-lane and truck-route enforcement.
Fines typically range from $100 to $500, with higher penalties for serious offenses such as passing a stopped school bus or driving more than 25 mph over the speed limit.
What started as a safety initiative has also become a major source of income for the city:
- $139.5 million in fiscal year 2023
- $213.3 million in fiscal year 2024
- $267.3 million in fiscal year 2025
Those figures come from the D.C. Office of the Chief Financial Officer and highlight just how dependent the city has become on camera-generated revenue.
Supporters Call It a “Hidden Tax,” Critics Call It Dangerous
Some lawmakers argue the system has drifted far from its original purpose. Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), who has previously introduced legislation to restrict D.C.’s use of traffic cameras, says the program is more about money than safety.
“Automated enforcement is being used to generate revenue, not protect drivers,” Perry said, calling the system unfair and accusing the city of using fines to balance its budget.
Others, however, point to studies suggesting traffic cameras do reduce crashes and dangerous driving. New York City recently announced an expansion of its own automated enforcement program, citing improved road safety in areas where cameras are used.
DC Officials Defend the Program
The D.C. government maintains that the camera system is part of its Vision Zero strategy — a long-term plan launched by Mayor Muriel Bowser to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries.
City officials argue the cameras help change driver behavior and make streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters, even if they also generate substantial revenue.
So far, Bowser’s office has declined to comment publicly on the federal proposal.
What Happens Next?
Congress has previously considered limiting D.C.’s camera program, but those efforts failed to pass. This new DOT-backed proposal could give the idea fresh momentum — and much higher stakes.
If the ban becomes law, Washington would not only lose a key enforcement tool, but also hundreds of millions of dollars per year, forcing city leaders to find new ways to plug a major budget gap.
For now, the plan remains a proposal. But if it advances, one of the most aggressive traffic enforcement systems in the United States could soon come to an end.
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