An electronic speed display sign on Mt. Olivet Road NE. I'd like to see one of these on 17th Street SE.
Last week, the Metropolitan Police Department announced the deployment of 19 new speed cameras at locations across the city. I was pleased to see that two of the new cameras will be deployed in Hill East – one on the 1900 block of Independence Avenue SE and the other on the 200 block of 19th Street SE. Independence Ave. and 19th Street see heavy commuter traffic and speeding. Hopefully, the new cameras will slow vehicles down.
Notably absent from the list is 17th Street SE (a.k.a. “the speedway”), the other heavily trafficked commuter corridor in our neighbor. Cars frequently speed down 17th Street between East Capitol St. and Barney Circle with only two stoplights (Mass Ave. and Potomac Ave.) to slow them down. Making matters worse, drivers crossing Mass Ave. can see the Potomac Ave. stoplight and tend to speed up to avoid the red light. Drivers also frequently turn on to E St. SE and D St. SE when the light at Potomac is red, turning narrow side streets into dangerous commuter thoroughfares.
When I’ve asked MPD to help with the speeding problem, they’ve been responsive. Earlier this year, MPD placed their roving electronic speed display at the corner of 17th St. SE and C St. SE. The display made a difference – vehicles noticeably reduced their speed as they approached the sign. But the problem returned once the sign was removed. MPD has also periodically set up speed traps and placed rumble strips along the route.
But these are temporary fixes to a permanent problem. A speed camera on 17th St. could provide a longer-term solution. When I’ve asked MPD to either permanently place a speed camera on 17th St. SE or rotate a speed camera between 17th St. SE, 19th St. SE and Independence Ave. SE, I’ve been told that MPD studied the option and determined that the corridor lacks a safe location for the speed camera vehicle. Why not consider a fixed camera mounted on a pole? There must be a way for a camera to be deployed somewhere within the 7 blocks between East Capitol St. and Barney Circle.
I’ve also asked the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to place a permanent electronic speed display sign between Mass Ave. SE and Potomac Ave. SE. While the sign would not issue citations, it would help slow traffic down. DDOT has said they will consider the request after they gather data. Note that since 17th St. is an evacuation route, DDOT can not install other traffic calming measures like speed humps.
Bottom line – something needs to be done before someone is seriously injured or killed. I’ve formally asked MPD to once again consider deploying a speed camera on 17th Street. I’ll also continue working with DDOT on appropriate traffic calming measures for the corridor. I’m hopeful that we will see some progress on this issue in the coming months.
Brian Flahaven 
As a resident of 17th St. SE, thank you for keeping the speeding issue at the top of the list. Though, I don’t understand the need to gather data–it seems like they’ve been “gathering data” for years. 10 minutes of standing on the corner of 17th and D watching drivers speed bt should be evidence enough. Is there anything we can do to to help DDOT move faster to address the problem?
Thank you! I moved from 18th St. SE to 17th St. SE in the last six months and was shocked at the difference in the traffic. (I knew it wouldn’t be exactly the same since 18th isn’t a through street – I live right at East Capitol – but still!) You risk your life opening your car door and it’s scary to pull out into traffic. My car has also been damaged parking on the street. If we can’t add speed bumps (which I hate) a speed camera or even the speed display sign would be welcome!
I’m at H street, right off of 17th. I generally hate speed cameras, but the speeding down 17th is pretty horrific. It seems worse north of me between East Capital and Potomac Ave, but we see our fair share of racing vehicles south of Potomac Ave. I’d support any measure that help slow down drivers to a safe and reasonable speed.
Thanks Brian for continuing to fight for our neighborhood.