Issue
Transportation
Traffic deaths fell more than half in 2025. Now USDOT wants to ban the cameras.
Quick takeWhat you need to know
What you need to know
- DC traffic fatalities dropped from 52 in 2024 to 25 in 2025 — the largest single-year decline on record.
- USDOT formally proposed banning DC's automated traffic cameras in Jan 2026 — Bowser estimates $1B over 4 years at risk.
- WMATA balanced its FY26 budget without service cuts, but only by drawing reserves; the structural gap is intact.
DC traffic fatalities dropped from 52 in 2024 (a 16-year high) to 25 in 2025 — the largest single-year decline on record, and a partial vindication of the long-missed Vision Zero goal. The District's automated traffic enforcement program collected $267.3M in FY25, up from $139.5M in FY23, with 547 cameras citywide. In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation formally proposed banning DC's automated cameras in the upcoming surface transportation bill; Mayor Bowser called the loss a $1B hole over four years. WMATA balanced its FY26 budget without service cuts or fare hikes, but only by drawing down reserves. The structural funding gap is intact, with a regional dedicated-funding solution (DMVMoves) targeted for 2028 at the earliest.
What's at stake
WMATA balanced — by drawing reserves
FY26 closed without service cuts or fare hikes, but federal pandemic relief is gone and reserves are finite. The dedicated-funding solution depends on DC, Maryland, and Virginia all agreeing — earliest 2028.
Cameras vs. revenue vs. safety
Top 10 cameras alone produced $65M in 2025. USDOT's January 2026 proposal would zero out the program. Vision Zero advocates argue the deterrent matters; opponents call it a regressive tax.
Bus and bike lanes are reversible
Connecticut Avenue's protected bike lane was canceled by DDOT in April 2024, then restored by the Council in the FY25 budget. The Arizona Avenue NW lane was removed in mid-2025 after pushback.
PowerWho decides
Who decides
- DDOT Director Sharon KershbaumBuilds bus lanes, bike lanes, ATE deployments, Vision Zero programs. Confirmed by Council September 2024.
- WMATA BoardApproves the budget, fare and service changes. Three jurisdictions appoint members; DC has 2 voting and 2 alternate seats.
- DC Council Transportation CommitteeAuthors traffic-safety legislation including the STEER Act; sets ATE rules. Chair: Charles Allen (D, Ward 6).
- U.S. Department of TransportationHolds federal authority over interstate highways, NPS roads inside DC, and (per the January 2026 proposal) potentially over DC's automated camera program.
Who decides
- DDOT Director Sharon KershbaumBuilds bus lanes, bike lanes, ATE deployments, Vision Zero programs. Confirmed by Council September 2024.
- WMATA BoardApproves the budget, fare and service changes. Three jurisdictions appoint members; DC has 2 voting and 2 alternate seats.
- DC Council Transportation CommitteeAuthors traffic-safety legislation including the STEER Act; sets ATE rules. Chair: Charles Allen (D, Ward 6).
- U.S. Department of TransportationHolds federal authority over interstate highways, NPS roads inside DC, and (per the January 2026 proposal) potentially over DC's automated camera program.
Recent moves
- House committee advances Stop DC CAMERA Act 21–19 to ban DC traffic camerasCongress.gov H.R. 5525 ↗
- USDOT formally proposes banning DC's automated traffic camerasPlanetizen ↗
- DC traffic deaths fall to 25 in 2025, >50% drop YoYDC News Now ↗
- DDOT moves Visitor Parking Permit program fully digitalDDOT ↗
- Arizona Avenue NW bike lane removed after community pushbackWashington Post ↗
- DC Circulator bus service phased outDDOT ↗
AskQuestions to put to candidates
Questions to put to candidates
- If USDOT bans DC speed cameras, how do you backfill the revenue and the safety deterrent?
- Do you support a regional payroll or sales tax to dedicate funding to WMATA?
- When DDOT pulls a bike or bus lane after community pushback, what's the standard for reversal?
Questions to put to candidates
- If USDOT bans DC speed cameras, how do you backfill the revenue and the safety deterrent?
- Do you support a regional payroll or sales tax to dedicate funding to WMATA?
- When DDOT pulls a bike or bus lane after community pushback, what's the standard for reversal?