Low-Income D.C. Drivers May Qualify for Reduced Speed Camera Fines

WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — A new pilot program is offering some financial relief to low-income D.C. residents hit with speed camera fines. As part of a targeted effort to improve both equity and compliance, qualifying drivers may have their penalties reduced by half.

Program Details: Who Is Eligible?

The initiative, spearheaded by Vision Zero D.C., allows up to 3,000 eligible drivers to enter a lottery system. The program is specifically aimed at SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients.

Winners of the lottery will receive a 50% reduction on select speed camera fines. However, only certain violations qualify:

Camera-issued speeding tickets
Speeds less than 15 mph over the limit
Tickets $100 or less
Tickets mailed on or after May 19
Must be tied to a D.C.-registered vehicle

Tickets issued by law enforcement officers, red-light camera violations, or more serious speeding infractions are not eligible under this program.

How to Know If You Qualify

Drivers who may be eligible will receive a notification about their potential qualification and can also check their status online. The program does not guarantee a discount to all applicants; only half of those who enter the lottery will receive the fine reduction.

Why This Program Matters

Charlie Wilson, Director of Vision Zero D.C., said the program is designed to support residents who may struggle to pay fines that can quickly become burdensome.

“If you think about somebody who’s on SNAP benefits, that’s somebody with an extremely tight cash flow situation,” Wilson said.
“The difference between being able to pay a $100 ticket and a $50 ticket could be profound.”

The hope is that by easing the financial pressure on low-income drivers, the city can increase fine compliance and reduce the risk of further penalties such as late fees or license suspensions.

Program Goals and Next Steps

In addition to offering financial relief, officials say the pilot will help them evaluate:

Repayment rates among low-income drivers
Program scalability for future expansions
Whether fine reductions impact driver behavior and safety

The data collected during this pilot will inform D.C.’s broader traffic enforcement and public safety strategies under the Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the District.

A Step Toward Equitable Enforcement

Critics of automated enforcement have long argued that flat-rate fines disproportionately affect low-income residents. This new initiative marks a step toward more equitable traffic enforcement, where financial penalties are better aligned with a driver’s ability to pay.

If successful, the program could serve as a model for other cities looking to reduce the economic burden of traffic enforcement on vulnerable populations—while still maintaining road safety.

For More Information:
Drivers can visit the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles website or the Vision Zero D.C. portal to check eligibility and learn how to enroll in the lottery.