COMMUTE
WTOP: Metro drivers receive $277,000 in traffic fines
WASHINGTON (AP/WJLA) - Metro employees have amounted more than $250,000 in traffic fines and fees over the past three years, mostly from speeding and running red lights.
A public records request by WTOP's Mark Segraves shows Metro employees were fined over $227,000 for traffic violations since 2010 while driving Metrobuses or service vehicles.
The transit agency accrued an additional $65,000 in late fees for fines that weren't paid on time.
Speeding fines cost the agency $40 to $400 per ticket. Running red lights cost between $75 and $350 per infraction. Parking tickets also cost $50 to $205 for each infraction. Over 32 months, Metro employees were issued more than 2,400 tickets.
Employees are responsible for paying them. Metro spokesman Dan Stessel says there's just one violation for every 92,000 miles Metro drives. He stresses you have to put the tickets during the 32-month period into perspective, especially in a city riddled with speed cameras.
Some bus passengers say they do notice drivers occasionally cut it close on the red lights.
“The only thing I have noticed is sometimes when they are behind schedule there seems to be pressure to speed up,” says Neil Boothby, a passenger.
But others say they feel safe while on Metro Bus and praise their regular drivers.
“They do everything they can to make their job, the bus, safe and their job easier and it’s other people who should be getting the tickets,” says Chris O’Kelly, who rides the bus.
Would you like to contribute to this story? Join the discussion.
RecommendedRecent Facebook Activity
Only On 7
-
Team up with the Home Team afternoons at 4 on ABC7
"Katie" weekdays at 4pm on ABC7 followed by Leon Harris and Alison Starling on ABC7 News at 5. Click here to find out more about "Katie!"
Photo Galleries Pictures from around the region
-
Cynné Simpson on Anderson Live: ABC7 anchor cohosts with Anderson Cooper
-
Top 10 worst airports for flight delays
-
PHOTOS: 2012 Anime USA convention










16 Comments
MORE COMMENTSPost a Comment