y’all know i contest ALL my tickets. cuz fuck capitalism. classism. racism. BUT for all y’all getting speed trap tickets in DC it could be much harder to win an appeal now:

on June 1, 2020 18 DCMR 2200.6 was amended & enacted. it basically says “unless otherwise designated (i will address this later)” if you don’t see the speed limit sign (especially at night when its dark/the sign is obstructed/not there) you are to assume the speed limit on...

...regular roadways is 20mph and 50mph on highways. any speed over 11mph can/may/will result in a speed trap ticket! (highly problematic)

now here are some (i’m sure there are more) issues with this:

1. because of this new law, when contesting, the examiner may/will argue if you are operating a vehicle in DC then you SHOULD KNOW all the laws, regardless of how new they are.
(bullshit because who gots the time, energy, capacity especially if this is not your day job. not to

mention LACK OF ACCESSIBILITY TO THIS SHIT...wild)

2. you might have the burden of providing the examiner with tangible proof (i.e. photos) that the speed limit was in fact what is stated on the speedtrap ticket THEY provide you with& the e-log (cops 2nd recording of your speed)

3. so let’s say the speed limit is 30mph and you were going 38mph. you contest this because it’s allegedly below the 11-15mph threshold. the examiner may/WILL deny your contested ticket (especially if you don’t provide evidence that the speed limit was 30mph) because

this new law ALLOWS them to assume that you were speeding because of the lack of signage & because of that you should have atleast been driving around the avg speed of 20mph.

so, why are they doing this???

1. they want your money lol
2. they don’t want to admit fault for possible ticket discrepancies
3. possibly in response to the issue with the speed trap camera that was raking in millions of dollars, FRAUDULENTLY

4. more people are beginning to exercise their right to contest
5. they receive legitimate contested tickets so they want to raise the burden on the individual contesting so they can continue raking in money
6. they love to take advantage of folks who lack accessibility

7. it’s more conducive for the gov. to raise the burden on an individual than to take responsibility and risk losing money.

these tickets are like $100+ a pop. they will stop at nothing to get all that money.

don’t even get me started on how the gov purposely/ intentionally puts these speed trap cameras in low income Black and Brown neighborhoods.

& to address the aforementioned point of “unless otherwise designated.”

the speed limit is not only posted on the ticket but it’s also on the e-log. but they are essentially saying this is not sufficient. possibly, not sufficient unless YOU take a picture w/ coordinates and

further provide it as evidence that the gov is in fact in fault.

but i’m sure they have thought of something else to slide themselves out of this.

in summation: there is no reforming the gov. they will always be a problem. ALL of these systems were intentionally created to and operate as oppressive to Black and Brown folks esp. if you queer, poor, disabled, an immigrant, NOT CHRISTIAN. not white

whewww, chile

abolish ALL of it. dismantle ALL of it. ABOLISH THE FUCKING POLICE.

i’m so tired. i’m done for now.

also, not an expert on this. just something i took note of and wanted to share.