Latest news with #StrengtheningTrafficEnforcement
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘We will hold you accountable': DC Attorney General sues five drivers for traffic violations, $425K in unpaid fines
WASHINGTON () — A Maryland driver and four Virginia drivers are facing legal action for their alleged dangerous and illegal conduct on Washington, D.C. streets, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for the District of Columbia announced Tuesday. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said he is suing the five drivers, who owe a total of $425,000 in unpaid fines, to hold them accountable for repeatedly violating D.C. traffic laws. The Maryland driver, Charles V. Sanders Jr., owes $187,200 for 344 traffic infractions, according to Schwalb. 316 of those citations were for speeding, and 61 were for driving at least 30 MPH above the speed limit. The OAG noted that Sanders had accumulated the tickets in just two years. Commanders fans excited about RFK site deal but raise concerns over ticket prices The four Virginia drivers amassed over 800 D.C. traffic tickets for speeding, running stop signs and running red lights, among other infractions, Schwalb outlined. The details of their respective lawsuits are as follows, according to the OAG: Ayanna Khalya Wilson owes the District $77,100 for 244 traffic infractions. This includes 202 citations for speeding, of which eight were for driving 30+ miles per hour over the speed limit. Omar Rahmouni El Idrissi owes the District $69,456 for 263 traffic infractions, including 246 for speeding. Dejene A. Abebe owes the District $58,608 for 197 traffic infractions, including 163 citations for speeding. Pedro James Baker owes the District $31,316 for 159 traffic infractions, including 30 citations for speeding, 20 for running red lights and 15 for running stop signs. The OAG filed the lawsuits under the Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education, and Responsibility (STEER) Act, which the in February 2024. The act allows the OAG to sue drivers who violate D.C. traffic laws even if they don't live in the city. 'Too many drivers think they can speed recklessly through the District, putting the safety of Washingtonians and visitors at risk, with no financial consequences for their lawlessness,' Schwalb said in a statement. 'These suits reflect our continuing commitment: if your actions behind the wheel put people's lives at risk, we will hold you accountable, no matter where you live.' The lawsuits come just two months after for failing to pay D.C. over $90,000 in fines. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
3 Maryland drivers sued by DC Attorney General for over $90k in unpaid tickets
WASHINGTON () — D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced Friday that lawsuits have been filed against three Maryland men who each have over $20,000 in unpaid tickets. This is the first lawsuit the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has filed under the new authority granted by the DC Council to bring civil enforcement actions against dangerous drivers with a significant number of unpaid tickets. This includes tickets for speeding, reckless driving, and other traffic violations. Maryland woman sentenced to life for killing, dismembering her mother Schwalb noted that under the Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education, and Responsibility (STEER) Act, the OAG can hold these drivers accountable and sue drivers wherever they live. 'Traffic deaths in the District are at historic levels – 52 people tragically lost their lives in traffic crashes last year alone. Too many drivers dangerously speed through the District and, as a result, too many District residents don't feel safe walking in their neighborhoods. Like the three defendants we've sued today, many of the drivers wreaking havoc on our streets come from outside DC and have snubbed their noses at our traffic laws,' said Schwalb in a release. Under this act, the OAG is suing Andre E. Bowman, Earl D. Curtis and Leon L. Carter. Officials noted that Bowman owes D.C. $36,986 for 135 traffic infractions, including 94 for speeding. From August 2013 to March 2024, he accrued 135 citations with five different license plates. AG Schwalb suing DC restaurant for allegedly underpaying employees, denying overtime, sick leave A total of 94 citations were for speeding—including three for aggravated reckless driving at speeds 30 MPH or more over the speed limit. Curtis owed D.C. $27,882 for 115 traffic infractions, including 52 for speeding. Between December 2012 to August 2014, he received 115 citations across five different license plates. In a year alone, he was ticketed 82 times for speeding and other dangerous violations. In September 2024, Curtis hit a child in a crosswalk at the intersection of 6th and D Streets in Northeast D.C. The child was treated at a hospital for a foot injury. Last, Carter had 84 citations across six license plates from June 2013 to August 2022. Schwalb said 80 were for speeding. 'Excellent work by DC Attorney General Schwalb to use a new tool created by the STEER Act to go after people who speed and drive recklessly, putting everyone around them at risk,' said Councilmember Charles Allen. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
21-02-2025
- Axios
D.C. slaps reckless Maryland drivers with lawsuits
334 traffic violations. Over $95,000 in outstanding fines. One big crackdown. Some of the most reckless drivers in the DMV are finally being held accountable by the D.C. Attorney General's Office. Why it matters: D.C. has started suing individuals for dangerous driving under the new STEER Act, a set of laws designed to crack down on reckless, repeat offenders. State of play: The AG's Office filed lawsuits against three drivers, including Maryland resident Earl Curtis, who struck and injured a child in a Capitol Hill crosswalk last year. He was sentenced to six days in jail as part of a plea deal. Starting in 2012, the D.C. OAG alleges Curtis amassed 115 citations across five vehicles — including 55 for excessive speeding — all of which the AG says he failed to pay ($27,882 in total). Another was filed against Maryland resident Leon Carter, who the AG says owes the District $30,666 for 84 alleged traffic infractions, including 80 for speeding. The biggest number of infractions are alleged against Andre Bowman, who the AG says racked up 135 violations across five different Maryland license plates, including 94 for speeding. Bowman owes D.C. $36,986, the AG says. Catch up quick: The D.C. Council unanimously passed the Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education and Responsibility Act last year. One of the key initiatives was empowering the D.C. Attorney General to bring civil lawsuits against drivers who racked up egregious infractions and fines — regardless of where they're registered. That's especially important as D.C. doesn't have ticket reciprocity with Maryland and Virginia, and it's been historically difficult to hold drivers outside the District accountable.
