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District of Columbia
GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the District of Columbia. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
District of Columbia
Bike helmets required?
Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.
District of Columbia
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Universal helmet law enacted 1970.
District of Columbia
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle
5 years
District of Columbia
Provisions for Mature Drivers
70 and over: no electronic renewal; medical certification required
District of Columbia
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)
55
District of Columbia
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
55
District of Columbia
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)
n/a
District of Columbia
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
n/a
District of Columbia
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)
n/a
District of Columbia
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)
n/a
District of Columbia
Increased penalty for high BAC
.20, .25 and .30
District of Columbia
Administrative license suspension on first offense
2-90 days or until deposition
District of Columbia
Limited driving privileges during suspension
Yes
District of Columbia
Ignition Interlocks
Mandatory for all convictions
District of Columbia
Open container laws
Yes
District of Columbia
Repeat Offender Laws
Yes
District of Columbia
Child Restraint Required
Under 2 yrs or under 40 lbs in rear-facing child restraint
2–3 yrs old and under 30 lbs in forward-facing child restraint in the back seat
Under 8 yrs old and under 57” tall in a child restraint or booster seat in the back seat
District of Columbia
Adult Safety Belt Permissible
8-15 yrs
District of Columbia
Full Privilege Minimum Age
18 years
District of Columbia
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16
District of Columbia
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6
District of Columbia
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
40 (10 in intermediate stage)
District of Columbia
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 / 6
District of Columbia
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
September through June: 11 p.m. - 6 a.m. (Sun-Thurs); Midnight - 6 a.m. (Fri-Sat) July through August: midnight - 6 a.m.
District of Columbia
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
First 6 months: no passengers Thereafter: No more than 2 passengers under 21
District of Columbia
Type of Law
Primary
District of Columbia
Who is Covered?
16 and over
District of Columbia
In What Seat?
All
District of Columbia
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
District of Columbia
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
District of Columbia
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner's permit. Primary law.
District of Columbia
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
District of Columbia
Speed Cameras: State Law
Permitted by district law
District of Columbia
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted
Citywide
District of Columbia
Red Light Cameras: State Law
Permitted by district law
District of Columbia
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted
Citywide
District of Columbia
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs
None
District of Columbia
Marijuana Possession and Use
Decriminalized and legal for recreational and medical use
District of Columbia
Marijuana Impaired Driving
None
D.C. Revamps Vision Zero Effort
Another aspect of the updated program is partnering with members of the community and local stakeholders. This, Jonathan Adkins, the Executive Director of the Governors Highway Safety Association says, could have a tremendous impact on the effort.
Effort Underway to Decrease Pedestrian Crashes in Northern Virginia
The D.C. region is dealing with a dangerous and sad increase in pedestrian crashes. Transportation reporter Adam Tuss talked with safety experts and police about what's going wrong and better ways to improve safety.
More Traffic Cameras, Reckless Driving Classes Among D.C. Plans for Bad Drivers
Jonathan Adkins, a D.C. resident and executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, said automated enforcement has been effective nationwide. He said whether fines or points are issued — or both — the primary goal should be to eliminate dangerous driving.
'Need Folks to Slow Down': Safety of Hains Point Questioned After 2 Pedestrians Killed
“We really need folks to slow down,” said Jonathan Adkins, the Executive Director of the Governors Highway Safety Association. “Speeding is a huge, huge issue.”
'Need Folks to Slow Down': Safety of Hains Point Questioned After 2 Pedestrians Killed
Story by Nick Minock
April 25, 2021
GHSA and Distracted Driving Survivor Advocates Team Up to Reinforce the Need for Comprehensive Approach to Driver Inattention
GHSA and StopDistractions.org are teaming up to reinforce the critical role of equitable enforcement in effectively combating distracted driving.
GHSA and Distracted Driving Survivor Advocates Team Up to Reinforce the Need for Comprehensive Approach to Driver Inattention
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2021
CONTACT: Adam Snider, 202-580-7930
202-365-8971 (after hours)
'They Are Up Significantly': Safety Association Says DMV Crashes Have Spiked
“2020 was a terrible year in many regards including traffic safety,” said Jonathan Adkins with the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Drivers Won’t Stop Speeding, and Cities Are Trying New Tactics to Get Them to Slow Down
“I am literally somewhat terrified by what could happen on the roads in Minnesota, and really across the country, if we don’t get a handle on some of this really dangerous driving,” said Michael Hanson, director of Minnesota’s Office of Traffic Safety.
Activists Call for Safer Streets as Another Cyclist Dies in DC
“We’ve got to slow this traffic down or we are going to have another tragic incident,” said Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Activists Call for Safer Streets as Another Cyclist Dies in DC
Story by Adam Tuss
April 13, 2021