Over 4,000 Tickets Issued to Baltimore City Vehicles, Most Fines Unpaid

Speeding and red light violations by city employees raise concerns over abuse of the system and public safety

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Baltimore city-owned vehicles racked up over 4,000 traffic citations in 2025 totaling around $452,000 in fines, but the majority of those citations were waived by the city. The Baltimore Police Department accounted for over 80% of the violations, with speeding and red light running being the most common infractions. Taxpayer advocates argue this practice sends the wrong message and raises public safety concerns.

Why it matters

The issue goes beyond lost revenue for the city, as taxpayer advocates argue it represents an abuse of the system and raises public safety concerns when city employees, especially police, are able to disregard traffic laws without consequence.

The details

Vehicles driven by city employees received 4,088 traffic citations in 2025, with speeding being the most common violation. The Baltimore Police Department accounted for over 2,700 of those citations, worth $373,585. While the city claims officers operating with lights and sirens have citations waived, taxpayer advocates argue officers going through red lights just to get somewhere faster, without an emergency, is an abuse of the process.

  • In 2025, Baltimore city-owned vehicles received 4,088 traffic citations.

The players

David Williams

A taxpayer advocate and president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.

Lindsey Eldridge

A spokesperson for the Baltimore Police Department.

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What they’re saying

“There seems to be an abuse of the system, abuse of the process.”

— David Williams, Taxpayer advocate (The Baltimore Sun)

“Citations are waived only when officers are operating with lights and sirens. Otherwise, officers must personally pay the fine and may face discipline under department policy.”

— Lindsey Eldridge, Baltimore Police Department spokesperson (The Baltimore Sun)

What’s next

The city will need to review its policies around waiving traffic citations for city-owned vehicles to ensure accountability and address the public safety concerns raised by taxpayer advocates.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater transparency and oversight around how city employees use and operate government vehicles, to ensure they are held to the same standards as the general public when it comes to traffic laws and public safety.