WASHINGTON — Some traffic enforcement cameras became more like scarecrows than enforcers in D.C. last year, coinciding with a major drop in revenue from the program.

In 2014, camera revenue fell $38 million. How much of that was a result of dormant cameras is still up for debate.

In a statement, D.C. Police Asst. Chief Lamar Greene says the extreme cold and snow last winter contributed to batteries going bad.

At times, police were not able to access them, and the temperature affected the charge.

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson on Monday noted the maintenance problems took place after D.C. Police took charge of them, according to the Washington Post.

Previously, the cameras had been kept up by a contractor.

Police stress that more drivers have started to follow the speed limits and other speed limits have been raised.

In 2014, traffic deaths in the District fell 10 percent.

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