Title 50 — Motor and Non-Motor Vehicles and Traffic.

For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) “Distracted driving” means inattentive driving while operating a motor vehicle that results in the unsafe operation of the vehicle where such inattention is caused by reading, writing, performing personal grooming, interacting with …

Distracted driving shall be prohibited. A person found guilty of distracted driving shall be subject to the fines and penalties set forth in § 50-1731.06(a).

(a) No person shall use a mobile telephone or other electronic device while operating a moving motor vehicle in the District of Columbia unless the telephone or device is equipped with a hands-free accessory. (b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following: (1…

(a) A person shall not use a mobile telephone or other electronic device, including those with hands-free accessories, while operating a moving school bus that is carrying passengers; provided, that this section shall not apply to a school bus driver who places an emergency call …

(a) The penalty for violating §§ 50-1731.03, 50-1731.04, or 50-1731.05 shall be a fine of $100; provided, that the fine shall be suspended for a first time violator who, subsequent to the violation but prior to the imposition of a fine, provides proof of acquisition of a hands-fr…

(a) Whenever the Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”) makes a written report on an accident involving a motor vehicle, the report shall include the following information: (1) Whether a mobile telephone or other electronic device was present in the motor vehicle; (2) Whether the…

The Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles shall include educational information on the use of mobile telephones and other electronic devices while driving in the District’s Driver and Motorcycle Operator’s Study Guide. The Director shall also include questions pertaining t…

(a) The Director of the District Department of Transportation shall annually publish and submit to the Council a report containing statistics regarding the possible relationship between motor vehicle accidents in the District of Columbia and the use of mobile telephones or other …

The Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, shall issue rules to implement the provisions of this chapter.

For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) “Motor vehicle” means an automotive transportation device with more than 3 wheels and a seating capacity of 8 or less passengers, not including the driver, but the term does not include vehicles used for farm purposes. (2) “Properly…

(a) Except as provided in Chapter 17 of this title, the driver and all passengers in a motor vehicle shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt while the driver is in control of the vehicle. (b) This section does not apply to operators or passengers under the followi…

Safety belts shall conform to applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards established pursuant to § 103 of title 1 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. § 1392 ).

This chapter shall apply to drivers operating a motor vehicle in the District of Columbia and their passengers.

For the first 6 months after April 9, 1997, the Mayor of the District of Columbia shall educate the public about the requirements and the purpose of the Mandatory Use of Seat Belts Amendment Act of 1996. The efforts to educate the public shall be multi-lingual and in alternative …

(a) There shall not be penalties for violating the Mandatory Use of Seat Belts Amendment Act of 1996 during the first 6 months after December 12, 1985. Instead, the Mayor of the District of Columbia shall issue warnings to drivers and passengers who violate the Mandatory Use of S…

Neither a violation of this chapter nor compliance with its terms shall constitute evidence of negligence, evidence of contributory negligence, or a basis for a civil action for damages. Also, a violation or compliance with this chapter shall not be used as a basis for mitigating…

For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) “Chemical test” or “chemical testing” means any qualitative or quantitative procedure which is designed to demonstrate the existence or absence of a chemical compound or chemical group. Any handheld and portable breath testing instr…

Repealed Repealed.

(a) Only a medical professional acting at the request of a law enforcement officer may withdraw blood, subject to the provisions of this chapter, for the purpose of determining the alcohol or drug content thereof. This limitation shall not apply to the taking of breath or urine s…

Full information concerning the chemical test results administered under this chapter, including records as provided in § 5-1501.06, shall be made available to the person from whom specimens were obtained pursuant to Rule 16 of the District of Columbia Superior Court Rules of Cri…

(a) When a law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person was operating or in physical control of a vehicle within the District while intoxicated or while the person’s ability to operate a vehicle is impaired by the consumption of alcohol or a drug or a c…

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, when a law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person was operating or in physical control of a motor vehicle within the District while intoxicated or while the person’s ability to operate a motor …

(a)(1) If a person under arrest refuses to submit specimens for chemical testing as provided in § 50-1904.02(a), he or she shall be informed that failure or refusal to submit to chemical testing will result in the revocation of his or her license or privilege to drive in the Dist…

(a) Whenever any license, or privilege to drive in the District of Columbia, has been revoked or denied under the provisions of this chapter, the reasons therefor shall be set forth in the order of revocation or denial, as the case may be. Such order shall take effect in 10 days …

Any person aggrieved by a final order of the Mayor revoking his or her license or denying him or her a license under the authority of this subchapter, may obtain a review thereof in accordance with § 2-510.

For the purposes of this subchapter, the term: (1) “Collision” means an impact between the operator’s watercraft, or anything attached to or transported by the watercraft, and anything else, regardless of whether it is a person, a wild or domestic animal, real property, or person…

(a) When a law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person is or has been operating or in physical control of a watercraft within the District while intoxicated or while the person’s ability to operate a watercraft is impaired by the consumption of alcohol…

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any person who operates or who is in physical control of any watercraft within the District and a law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person is operating or in physical control of a watercraf…

(a) If a person under arrest refuses to submit specimens for chemical testing as provided in § 50-1910(a), he or she shall be informed that failure or refusal to submit to chemical testing will result in his or her inability to operate a watercraft in the District of Columbia as …

If a person refuses to submit to chemical testing under this subchapter, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia shall order the person not to operate any watercraft for at least one year. A refusal to submit to any test as required by this section shall be punishable by a…

(a) There is established a Pedestrian Advisory Council (“PAC”). (b) The PAC shall be composed of 18 members appointed as follows: (1) The Director of the District Department of Transportation, or designee; (2) The Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, or designee; (3) The …

The Council of the District of Columbia finds that: (1) Drivers 50 years of age and older are an increasing segment of the District of Columbia’s motorists whose unique driving habits justify the development of driver improvement training programs specifically designed for senior…

(a) The Department of Transportation shall establish criteria and guidelines for the approval of motor vehicle accident prevention courses (“course”) for individuals 50 years of age and older. (b) An approved classroom course shall require that each student receives a minimum of …

(a) All insurance companies authorized to sell motor vehicle insurance in the District of Columbia shall provide a discount in the amount charged for a motor vehicle insurance policy to individuals 50 years of age and older who have successfully completed an approved course. (b) …

(a) No person shall operate any vehicle on the public roadways of the District of Columbia carrying loose debris or loose cargo that could be dislodged from the vehicle without covering and restraining the loose debris or loose cargo so as to render the material immobile. The pro…

Within 18 months of May 1, 2013, the Mayor shall transmit to the Council an assessment of the safety impact, if any, resulting from the reduced fines required by Title III of this act, which shall include a detailed analysis of any changes in moving violation rates and repeat vio…

This part may be cited as the “District of Columbia Traffic Act, 1925.”

For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) “Alcohol” means a liquid, gas, or solid, containing ethanol from whatever source or by whatever processes produced, whether or not intended for human consumption. (2) “All-terrain vehicle” or “ATV” means any motor vehicle with not l…

(a) The Mayor is authorized and empowered to make, modify, repeal, and enforce rules relating to and concerning the following: (1) The control of traffic and the movement of traffic; (2)(A) The length, weight, height, and width of vehicles; and (B) The brakes, horns, lights, muff…

(a) The Mayor shall promulgate regulations governing the PMD, including: (1) Exempting the personal mobility device from the regulations governing motor vehicles; (2) Establishing a registration process, such as, for example, requiring that each PMD bear a serial number, valid re…

(a) No vehicle shall be operated at a greater rate of speed than permitted by the regulations adopted under the authority of this part. (b) A person shall be guilty of reckless driving if the person drives a vehicle upon a highway carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton di…

A personal mobility device shall not be operated: (1) In the District if it has not been validly registered, unless it is validly registered in another jurisdiction, when required by applicable law of that jurisdiction, and bears readily visible evidence of being registered. (2) …

(a) No person shall operate at any time an all-terrain vehicle or dirt bike on public property including any public space in the District. (b) All-terrain vehicles or dirt bikes shall not be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. (c) Any individual violating any provis…

(a) For any motor vehicle moving infraction, as defined in Chapter 26 of Title 18 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, committed by the driver within a work zone, during any time when traffic is regulated or restricted through or around the zone, when work is actual…

(a) A bicyclist may cross at an intersection while following the pedestrian traffic control signal for the bicyclist’s direction of travel unless otherwise directed by traffic signs or traffic control devices. (b) A bicyclist may cross an intersection where a leading pedestrian i…

Repealed Repealed.

(a) Within 180 days of April 20, 2013, the Mayor shall establish an Ignition Interlock Device Program applicable to persons who have been convicted of an offense pursuant to § 50-2206.11, § 50-2206.12, or § 50-2206.14, note, or any succeeding emergency act establishing those sect…

(a) For the purposes of this section, the term: (1) “Law enforcement officer” means a sworn member of the Metropolitan Police Department or a sworn member of any other police force operating in the District of Columbia. (2) “Signal” means a communication made by hand, voice, or t…

(a) Any person who operates or who is in physical control of a vehicle within the District who knows or has reason to believe that his or her vehicle has been in a collision shall immediately stop and: (1) Where another person is injured, call or cause another to call 911 or call…

(a) Any person who operates or who is in physical control of a vehicle within the District who knows or has reason to believe that an object likely to cause damage has detached from, fallen, or flown from his or her vehicle shall immediately stop and: (1) Where another person is …