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WARD 1 UPDATE
Hello Neighbors:
Finally, we can do something about cars with fake tags driving (and parking) dangerously with impunity. And food delivery vehicles that double park, drive dangerously, and interrupt traffic.
This week the Council gave initial approval two bills I introduced: one to allow city parking enforcement to immediately tow vehicles with fake or obscured tags, and one that gives the Department of For-Hire Vehicles control over food delivery.
Both are examples of how I’m using my committee’s oversight of the Department of Public Works’ parking enforcement division and the Department of For-Hire Vehicles to take action to improve road safety.
Fake and obscured tags
Under current law, even a vehicle with no license plates cannot be towed unless it has two or more unpaid tickets. But if an automated traffic enforcement camera cannot identify a vehicle because of a fraudulent, expired, or obscured tag, it cannot issue a ticket, let alone two.
In a world where nearly all citations are from automated cameras, where many people choose not to pay their fines, and where there is little consequence to driving privileges, we must make better use of booting, towing, and impounding to get vehicles tied to dangerous driving off the road. The Fraudulent Vehicle Tag and Parking Enforcement Modernization Amendment Act of 2024 does that by making a vehicle with an obscured or fake tag eligible for immediate towing.
Many of us are frustrated and angry when we see people flouting the law by using counterfeit plates. But this isn’t just about fairness – it’s very much about protecting lives. Experience has shown that premeditated reckless driving is often associated with vehicles that have these kinds of tags, making this legislation even more urgent as we work to make our roads safer for residents and visitors.
Food and parcel delivery
The Carrier-for-Hire Oversight and Enforcement Amendment Act of 2024, which I joined Councilmember Charles Allen to co-introduce, gives the Department of For-Hire Vehicles the authority to regulate food and parcel delivery activities, including enforcement of traffic laws.
This industry, which includes restaurants, instant delivery of parcels, and groceries, has seen tremendous growth. Much like the advent of ride-hailing companies, this type of service requires regulation and oversight that it does not currently have.
The bill also sets stronger requirements for both vehicles- and carriers-for-hire to display a logo or insignia indicating what company the operator is providing service for – as a safety measure for passengers and to facilitate street enforcement by DFHV.
Traffic safety is a critical facet of public safety. As chair of the committee that oversees DPW and DFHV, I am always looking for ways to use our oversight of what appear to be rather mundane agencies to strengthen parking enforcement and focus efforts toward getting the most dangerous vehicles off of the road, so that our streets are safe for all users.
Both bills will come up for final votes by the full Council on December 17.
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