Cleveland Police Issue Fewer Traffic Tickets Over Past Decade

Speeding, stop sign, and red light violations all see steep declines as city officials warn of growing 'culture' of ignoring traffic laws

Mar. 16, 2026 at 1:34pm

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According to court data, Cleveland police have issued far fewer tickets for common traffic violations like speeding, running stop signs, and red light running over the past decade. Speeding tickets have dropped 68%, stop sign citations are down 70%, and red light violations have fallen 54% since 2015. Police Chief Dorothy Todd says a restrictive pursuit policy and drivers refusing to pull over are contributing factors, while city council members argue the lack of enforcement has emboldened dangerous driving across Cleveland.

Why it matters

The decline in traffic enforcement raises concerns about public safety, as city officials warn that a 'culture' of ignoring traffic laws has taken hold in Cleveland. With fewer tickets being issued, some residents feel the streets have become more hazardous, leading to calls for increased traffic calming measures and automated enforcement like speed cameras.

The details

Data from Cleveland Municipal Court shows a sharp drop in the number of tickets issued for common traffic violations over the past decade. Speeding tickets fell 68% from 8,893 in 2015 to 2,827 in 2025, while citations for running stop signs declined 70% from 4,282 to 1,297. Red light violations also dropped significantly, down 54% from 2,171 to 1,005. Police Chief Dorothy Todd says the department's restrictive pursuit policy, which limits chases to only the most serious offenses, is partially to blame, as many drivers now refuse to pull over for routine traffic stops. However, the police spokesman says they do not have a 'straight yes or no' answer on whether officers record license plates and issue summons to fleeing drivers.

  • Speeding tickets issued in Cleveland have dropped 68% over the past decade, falling from 8,893 citations in 2015 to 2,827 in 2025.
  • Citations for running stop signs fell 70%, from 4,282 tickets in 2015 to 1,297 last year.
  • Red-light violations also dropped significantly, falling 54%, from 2,171 citations in 2015 to 1,005 in 2025.

The players

Dorothy Todd

Cleveland Police Chief who told city council that a 'culture' of ignoring traffic laws has taken hold in the city.

Sgt. Wilfredo Diaz

Cleveland police spokesman who said the department's response to drivers who refuse to pull over is not a 'straight yes or no'.

Kris Harsh

Cleveland City Council member who says the lack of traffic enforcement is noticeable and that residents are pleading for more speed tables and cameras.

Piet van Lier

Chair of the policy committee of Cleveland's Community Police Commission, who argues the pursuit policy protects public safety and that the city should focus on traffic calming infrastructure instead.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not complaining about our pursuit policy because it does keep our citizens safe, but traffic violations alone is not a reason for pursuits.”

— Dorothy Todd, Cleveland Police Chief (cleveland.com)

“It's noticeable to everyone who spent a decade driving before COVID. My constituents who are complaining about this are not exaggerating. They are not making this up.”

— Kris Harsh, Cleveland City Council member (cleveland.com)

“Should we be more concerned with traffic citations or people's lives if a police chase went wrong?”

— Piet van Lier, Chair of the policy committee of Cleveland's Community Police Commission (cleveland.com)

The takeaway

The steep decline in traffic enforcement in Cleveland raises serious concerns about public safety, as city officials warn of a growing 'culture' of ignoring traffic laws. While the police department's pursuit policy aims to protect citizens, it has also contributed to fewer tickets being issued, emboldening dangerous driving. Moving forward, Cleveland must find the right balance between enforcement and public safety, potentially exploring alternative solutions like traffic calming infrastructure and automated enforcement to curb the rise in reckless behavior on its streets.