01 August, 2009

DDOT TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICERS RECEIVE TRAINING

DDOT TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICERS RECEIVE TRAINING
TO ISSUE TRAFFIC CITATIONS
The District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) Traffic Control Officers (TCOs) have recently completed training allowing them to issue citations for traffic infractions. In response to legislation passed by City Council and introduced by Councilmember Jim Graham, DDOT’s TCOs are able to write tickets for traffic violations such as parking in a bus or loading zone, parking in a no standing zone or double parking.

DDOT TCOs are routinely deployed to some of the District’s busiest intersections to help facilitate traffic through morning and evening rush hours and as such are in a unique position to observe real-time violations by motorists and pedestrians. TCOs ensure the public right-of-way is kept safe for all modes of transportation including bicyclists and pedestrians and may also issue citations for blocking crosswalks and bike lanes as well as for distracted driving, illegal use of cell phones, etc.

The TCOs have received 40 hours of training from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on the regulations and procedures for issuing traffic citations. The DC Code gives the TCOs the authority to issue citations for parking infractions and minor moving violations, including:

• Parking in a bus or loading zone
• Parking in front of a designated entrance
• Expired tags
• No standing
• No parking anytime
• Double parking
• No parking during rush hour
• Expired inspection sticker
• No stopping
• No front or rear tag
Generally, TCOs cannot write tickets for criminal violations that are not subject to
administrative traffic adjudication at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

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