A single speed camera on the Potomac River Freeway in Washington, D.C., issued close to $10 million worth of tickets in 2025. There are 547 of these automatic traffic cameras in the district.

In 2025, these 547 cameras in Washington, D.C., generated $267.3 million in revenue. Just 10 of those traffic cameras issued $65 million in tickets last year.

According to Axios, a traffic camera on the Potomac River Freeway issued $9,179,249 worth of tickets last year. Another camera on Eastbound DC295 SW issued fines totaling around $8.5 million. A camera in the 600 block of southbound Kenilworth Avenue NE generated $7.7 million in traffic tickets.

Interestingly, these automated traffic cameras issue a ticket only if a driver exceeds the speed limit by at least 10 mph.

In many U.S. jurisdictions, tickets are revenue generators regardless of whether the driver or the car owner pleads guilty or not guilty. Of course, the person can dispute the fine, but the state, city, or county that issued the ticket will charge fees to plead not guilty that exceed the cost of the ticket. Naturally, despite the ticket stating that it does not “prove” that a violation was committed because a police officer didn’t issue it, most people just go ahead and pay it. It’s the type of no-lose scam that casinos would love.

The D.C. mayor loves the traffic cameras; many others want them banned

Also of note, the Trump administration wants to ban these traffic cameras. They even tried to push the ban through a congressional bill. The mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser, said such a ban “would endanger people in our community.” She also said it would remove about $1 billion from the district’s budget. Bowser also claimed that traffic cameras played a significant role in safety. She claims the district saw a 52 percent drop in traffic fatalities in 2025.

Rep. Scott Perry disagreed, saying in a statement: “Automated traffic enforcement is being used to generate revenue, not enhance safety. Cities like Washington, D.C., that depend on automated traffic enforcement revenue to balance their budgets are proof that the policy isn’t about the safety of residents and visitors; it’s about fleecing people without representation or fair due process. It’s un-American and should be abolished.”