Pipes_of_Pan t1_iuizsii wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:12 PM

Reply to comment by BrightThru2014 in D.C. Revamps Vision Zero Effort by superdookietoiletexp

I’m saying that the infrastructure changes are already saving lives and “enforcement” of people who are speeding or being reckless is not a simple process.

I am not an expert but I have read enough to understand that there’s an ebb and flow with traffic safety - some people will drive FASTER if they see protected sidewalks and lanes because they stop worrying about their safety. At the same time, sidewalk and bike lane protections DO protect pedestrians from the average driver.

I do believe in stepping up enforcement for bad actors, just that it’s not a simple flip of the switch.

BrightThru2014 t1_iuj0pr0 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:18 PM

I fully support more infrastructure changes. But I vehemently disagree that flipping the switch on enforcement wouldn’t immediately improve traffic safety within a few months. As of now DC is the only jurisdiction to my knowledge where you can receive an infinite number of reckless driving tickets and still not have your license revoked. Aside from license suspensions, if I remember correctly, it would take multiple decades for DC to boot every eligible car. I literally think it would be as easy as increasing DC’s booting team X20, start booting every car above the bootable limit, and you’ll have people obsessively following the laws in no time.

Pipes_of_Pan t1_iuj0w9z wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:19 PM

Ok. How do you increase the booting team 20X overnight; you're talking about hiring like 200 people

BrightThru2014 t1_iuj1js0 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:24 PM

Subcontract existing towing services? Train new people? How hard is it to tow a vehicle, it’s not rocket science, they could ramp that up fairly quickly.

Pipes_of_Pan t1_iuj1w3n wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:26 PM

With what money? And tow them where? Have you ever lived in a city where private towing companies run the show? (It sucks)

BrightThru2014 t1_iuj2kh2 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:30 PM

You would appropriate more money and identify/create new lots to tow them too. Doesn’t DC have a budgetary surplus? DC Metro Area has a population of 6.5 million~ it would really not be hard at all to tap into existing infrastructure.

I don’t care who runs the show I care about not having 40+ people (predominantly lower income POC FYI) die every year due to traffic fatalities.

Pipes_of_Pan t1_iuj2xnh wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:33 PM

So would I, but I am also realistic about the fact that many (most?) of our worst drivers come from states that have decided to not give a shit about our traffic enforcement