Nearly 3,500 drivers have been arrested in the District over the past two years for driving an unregistered vehicle or one that has an expired tag, but only a fraction of them spent time behind bars, according to police data.
Additionally the number of arrests declined significantly between 2010 and 2011.
A total of 253 people actually went to jail for the offense over the past two years, according to the statistics provided by the Metropolitan Police Department. In 2010, 2,163 people were arrested for driving with expired license tags and 8 percent were locked up. In fiscal year 2011, which ended in September, arrests dropped to 1,334 with 6 percent actually going to jail.
Most individuals were released on their own recognizance for a future court date or paid a fine and declined the court option.
Last month, the D.C. Council passed a law that temporarily bans police officers from arresting drivers for having an unregistered vehicle or expired tag. Instead, they must issue a citation, as is typically done in Maryland and Virginia. A permanent measure by the council is expected to be passed next year.
