Article from: www.thenewspaper.com/news/16/1631.asp
3/2/2007
DC Mayor Runs Red Lights to Fundraisers
The mayor of Washington, DC uses his motorcade to make illegal turns, run red lights and blast past speed cameras to get to his destination on time.
The mayor of the District of Columbia, Adrian M. Fenty (D), 36, uses his Lincoln Navigator, Ford Crown Victoria and several police escort vehicles to flout traffic laws en route to his destinations on a regular basis. With sirens and flashing lights, Fenty's motorcade has been spotted blowing through red lights, making illegal turns and speeding past speed cameras.
Title 18, Section 712.4, of the DC Code forbids the use of sirens except in emergency situations. Nevertheless, Fenty employed sirens to attend a fundraiser for a fellow city council member in a timely manner.
"If you're trying to make sure that you're on time so that the business of the city does not have to wait, stop or be delayed, I think it is appropriate," Fenty told WTOP Radio, which had captured Fenty's motorcade on video.
Article Excerpt:712.4 Whenever an emergency vehicle is equipped with a siren, the siren shall not be used except when the vehicle is being operated in response to an emergency call; or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, in which case, the driver of the vehicle shall sound the siren when necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach of the vehicle.
Source: D.C. Mayor Gets a Free Pass on Red Lights (WTOP Radio (DC), 2/24/2007)
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