Officials say the vehicle accumulated hundreds of violations as the city ramps up enforcement against repeat offenders.
WASHINGTON — Unpaid traffic tickets can add up quickly, but one case in Washington, D.C. is drawing attention for just how far it went.
A car with Maryland plates was towed in Washington, D.C. after racking up nearly 900 unpaid traffic tickets — with a total bill topping a quarter of a million dollars.
Officials said the vehicle had accumulated 893 tickets, totaling $262,204 in fines before it was impounded.
In just the past two months, 29 additional tickets were issued — all for speeding between 11 and 20 miles per hour over the limit.
“Repeated disregard of traffic law is unacceptable,” police said in a statement. “We’ll continue to track down scofflaw vehicles to keep roadways safe.”
The case comes as officials in the nation’s capital have stepped up enforcement against drivers with large numbers of unpaid tickets, including those registered out of state.
A 2024 law expanded the city’s ability to hold repeat offenders accountable across state lines, and authorities have since pursued legal action against drivers owing tens of thousands of dollars in fines.
In one case, a driver was ordered to pay more than $77,000 in unpaid tickets.
Officials say the crackdown has coincided with a significant drop in traffic fatalities, with deaths falling 52% in 2025, the first full year after the law took effect.
