Background: We write to share a number of concerns. First, provisions in B25-0421 and B25-0425 that would automatically suspend the licenses of people accused, but not convicted, of certain crimes raise due process concerns. Further, language in B25-0421 allowing the Mayor to charge a reinstatement fee even if a person is not convicted is an inappropriate barrier to reinstatement. Second, the reinstatement fees in B25-0421, as well as provisions in B25-0422 related to the waiver of driving record points and the immobilization of vehicles with unpaid tickets is illustrative of a larger problem that the Council should be moving away from: punishing drivers for failure to pay fines and fees even if they are not able to afford them. Not only is this an inequitable practice, but it conflates a driver’s inability to pay fines and fees with whether they are safe drivers. This will not contribute to safer streets in the District of Columbia. In this respect, B25-0425 represents a step in the right direction, as it sets up a parallel regime regarding towing and immobilizing vehicles that penalizes unsafe driving more directly. Finally, the increased reliance on traffic cameras envisioned by B25-0422 highlights the need for appropriate oversight of the use of camera data.
Our Position: We have several concerns about these pieces of legislation.