JURISDICTION: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

This chapter summarizes D.C. statues and regulations related to speed.

General References: D.C. Code and D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR)

Basis for a Speed Law Violation:

Basic Speed Rule: No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. D.C. Code §§40-703(a)(6) & 40-712(a) and Title 18 DCMR §2200.3

Statutory Speed Limit: 25 MPH D.C. Code §§40-703(a)(6) & 40-712(a) and Title 18 DCMR §2200.6

15 MPH in alleys D.C. Code §§40-703(a)(6) & 40-712(a) and Title 18 DCMR §2200.7

15 MPH in streets adjacent to school buildings or playgrounds when indicated by official signs D.C. Code §§40-703(a)(6) & 40-712(a) and Title 18 DCMR §§2200.8 & 2200.9

Posted (Maximum) Speed Limit: Based upon engineering and traffic investigations, the maximum speed limits may be increased or decreased on any highway. D.C. Code §§40-703(a)(6) & 40-712(a) and Title 18 DCMR §2200.2 Note: D.C. law does not specifically state whether different highway speed limits may be established either for different types of vehicles, for various weather conditions or for different times of the day.

Minimum Speed Limit: No person shall drive a vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. D.C. Code §§40-703(a)(6) & 40-712(a) and Title 18 DCMR §2200.10

Posted (Minimum) Speed Limit: None

Other:

Adjudication of Speed Law Violations:

Civil/Criminal Adjudication of Violation: Excepted as Noted Under Miscellaneous Sanctions, All Speed Law Violations are Civil Offenses (Infractions). D.C. Code §40-712(d) and Title 18 DCMR §2200.11

Other:

Sanctions Following an Adjudication of a Speed Law Violation:

Criminal Sanctions:

Imprisonment:

Term (Day, Month, Years,

Etc.): None

Mandatory Minimum Term:

Fine:

Amount (& Range): Violation of Basic Speed Rule-$25 Title 18 DCMR §2600.1

Violation of the Minimum Speed Rule-$15 Title 18 DCMR §2600.1

Sanctions Following an Adjudication of a Speed Law Violation:

(continued)

Fine:

Amount ($ Range): (continued) Speed Limit Violations-$15 to $100 The fine imposed depends upon either the extent or type of the speeding offense.⁽¹⁾ Title 18 DCMR §2600.1

Mandatory Min. Fine ($): None

Other Penalties:

Traffic School: A person may be invited to attend a Diver Safety Clinic if their point accumulation total 4 but is <8. See Footnote No. 2. Title 18 DCMR §303.4

Other:

Licensing Action:

Type of Licensing Action

(Susp/Rev): Suspension or Revocation via the Point System⁽²⁾ D.C. Code §40-302 and Title 18 DCMR §§303.1 & 303.3

Term of License Withdrawal

(Days, Months, Years, etc.):

Mandatory Minimum Term of

Withdrawal: I. Suspension may be from 2 to 90 days depending upon the seriousness of the offense. Title 18 DCMR §306.1

II. Revocation-6 months Note: For subsequent offenses, a longer revocation period is possible. However, such period must for a definite period of time. Title 18 DCMR §306.4

Miscellaneous Sanctions

Not Included Elsewhere: Criminal Offense. A person is subject to criminal prosecution if they commit a traffic infraction and have already accumulated 12 or more points on their driving record within previous 18 months. Under such circumstances, they are subject to a jail term of not more than 10 days and/or a fine of not more than $300. D.C. Code §40-613(a)

Other Criminal Actions Related to Speeding:

Exceeding Speed Limit by 30 MPH:

Sanctions:

Criminal Sanction:

Imprisonment (Term): Not more than 90 days Title 18 DCMR §2200.12

Mandatory Minimum Term: None

Other Criminal Actions Related to Speeding:

(continued)

Exceeding Speed Limit by 30 MPH:

(continued)

Fine ($ Range): Not more than $300 Title 18 DCMR §2200.12

Mandatory Minimum Fine: None

Administrative Licensing Action:

Licensing Authorized and

Type of Action: Suspension or Revocation⁽³⁾ D.C. Code §40-302 & Title 18 DCMR §302.3

Length of Term of

Licensing Withdrawal: I. Suspension-2 to 90 days depending upon the seriousness of the offense. Title 18 DCMR §306.1

II. Revocation-6 months Note: For subsequent offenses, a longer revocation period is possible. However, such period must for a definite period of time. Title 18 DCMR §306.4

Mandatory Action--Minimum

Length of License

Withdrawal: None

Other:

Reckless Driving:

Sanction:

Criminal:

Imprisonment (Term): 1st offense-Not more than 3 months Subsequent offense (within 2 years)-Not more than 1 year D.C. Code §40-712(c)

Mandatory Minimum Term

of Imprisonment: None

Fine ($ Range): 1st offense-Not more than $250 Subsequent offense (within 2 years)-Not more than 1,000 D.C. Code §40-712(c)

Mandatory Minimum Fine: None

Administrative Licensing Actions:

Type of Licensing Action

(Susp/Rev): Revocation D.C. Code §40-302(a) & Title 18 DCMR §301.1(d)

Length of Term of License

Withdrawal Action: 1st offense-6 months 2nd offense-1 year Subsequent offense-2 years D.C. Code §40-302 & Title 18 DCMR §306.5

Mandatory Term of License

Withdrawal Action: 1st offense-6 months 2nd offense-1 year Subsequent offense-2 years D.C. Code §40-302 & Title 18 DCMR §306.5

Other: I. A person is also assessed 12 points against their driving record. See Footnote No. 2. Title 18 DCMR §303.1(h)

Other Criminal Actions Related to Speeding:

(continued)

Reckless Driving: (continued)

Other: (continued) II. Limited Registration Suspension. The registrations of all vehicles owned by a person, who has been convicted of reckless driving involving a personal injury, must be suspended until the offender gives and maintains proof of financial responsibility. §§40-437 & 40-438

Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Operators⁽⁴⁾:

Grounds for Disqualification: A person is disqualified (suspended) from operating a CMV if while driving such a vehicle they commit 2 or more "serious traffic violations"⁽⁵⁾ within a 3 year period. D.C. Code §40-1806(a)(4)

Period of Disqualification: 1st violation-1 year 2nd violation-10 years to life 3rd violation-Life D.C. Code §40-1806(b)

Period of Mandatory Disqualification: 1st violation-1 year 2nd violation-10 years 3rd violation-Life D.C. Code §40-1806(b)

1. ¹For speed 10 MPH over the limit, the fine is $15. For speed 11 MPH but 15 MPH over the limit, the fine is $25. For speed 16 MPH but 20 MPH over the limit, the fine is $50. For speed 21 MPH but 25 MPH over the limit, the fine is $75. And, for speed >25 MPH over the limit, the fine is $100. Title 18 DCMR §2600.1

2. ²Point System. Under the point system, a person's license can either be suspended if they accumulate 8 points or be revoked if accumulate 12 points. Points assessed for any offense stay on a person's driving record for 3 years. Four (4) points are assessed for any speeding violation. Title 18 DCMR §§303.1(d) & 303.6

3. ³The licensing agency has discretionary authority to either suspend or revoked a person's license for this offense. Title 18 DCMR §302.3

4. ⁴A person who has obtained a commercial driver's license (CDL) and is qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle. A commercial motor vehicle is defined as a vehicle designed to carry either passengers or property and either has a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 lbs., is designed to transport more than 15 persons, or is transporting hazardous materials which requires that the vehicle to be placarded in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. D.C. Code §40-1801(3)

5. ⁵The term "serious traffic violation" is not defined in the D.C. Code. However, under Federal regulations this term includes exceeding the speed limit by 15 or more MPH or reckless driving. 49 CFR 383.5