It appears that D.C. isn't the only city where drivers who appeal tickets are walking away scot-free.

Here are some examples:

* In Los Angeles, more than 124,000 tickets were issued to innocent drivers amounting to nearly $6 million in tickets that were dismissed after being fought and won. (Source: LA Times)

* Drivers ticketed in Boston had tickets dismissed more than 60% of the time. (Source: Boston Globe)

* Last year, Chicago courts dismissed about 75% of tickets (in a three month period) after hearing officers ruled that drivers were not liable or the ticket contained errors. (Source: Chicago Tribune)

* New York City drivers are finding it harder to get tickets dismissed since the city introduced a settlement program. Still, 22% percent of challengers had tickets dismissed in 2008. (Source: The NY Times)

So, obviously there is an issue with not only the ticketing system in the District, but in cities nationwide. This is a widespread problem, as most drivers are discovering, no matter where they park.

Kristin Nevels
AAA Mid-Atlantic, Public & Government Affairs