A set of traffic monitoring devices has been bringing in so much money from drivers who fail to stop fully that locals have questioned the local Department of Transportation’s underlying intentions. In Washington, DC, one particular stop sign camera generated $1.3 million in fines in a two-year period. After raking in those millions, DC recently upped its number of devices.

A couple of years ago, the highest-recording stop sign camera in the district was in Crestwood, where Blagden Avenue and Allison Street NW meet. The camera was listed as one of the area’s top 10 most lucrative traffic enforcement devices. At that time, drivers claimed that the camera was more sensitive than ever before.

In 2021, 16 of the district’s top 20 highest-earning devices were speed cameras, while only two were stop sign cameras.

Last December, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced it would install even more stop sign cameras. The stated goal was to prevent drivers from running stop signs at 14 targeted intersections. Then, after a 30-day waiting period, the DDOT began issuing $100-$500 fines at locations with new monitoring equipment.

Now, DC drivers are hyper-wary of the cameras. One Uber driver shared a clip of how careful he is approaching the intersection of 44th and Fessenden Street. He says that his heart races and his palms get sweaty as he slows to a complete stop well ahead of the crosswalk. He’s sure to sit for a few beats before cautiously passing the stop sign camera.

Positively, the Uber driver makes it through without the camera flashing. Even his passenger congratulates him on escaping the fine.

Of course, the cameras can’t be totally evil. The steep fines are surely preventing many tragic accidents, especially ones involving pedestrians. One Redditor posted their stop sign camera footage and wondered how they could contest it. The comments lit up, chiding the poster. They clearly did not fully stop before entering the crosswalk zone. See for yourself:

Stop sign cameras
byu/Dart_Limits inwashingtondc

While the fines are this painful and the district rakes in millions in drivers’ cash, be sure to respect the stop sign cameras in DC. Otherwise, be ready to pay up for a slow-roll-and-go move.