The Maryland State Police have concluded a crackdown on "superspeeders," drivers traveling at excessive speeds whom the agency says have been growing in number during the pandemic. On a designated day last Tuesday, troopers from the Rockville barrack on Montrose Road joined colleagues from the College Park and Forestville barracks in targeting speeders on I-495.
By the end of the six-month initiative that concluded Tuesday, troopers had issued 875 citations, 803 warnings, 6 Move Over citiations (for failing to either sufficiently slow down, or change lanes when passing an emergency vehicle stopped on the shoulder), 41 Move Over warnings, and 43 safety equipment repair orders. They also made 8 arrests on outstanding warrants, and an additional 11 arrests for possession of controlled substances.
On Tuesday, troopers issued 149 citations, 155 warnings, and 34 safety equipment repair orders. They made 1 criminal arrest, and 3 arrests on outstanding warrants.
Funding for the coordinated operation was provided by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office. The stated goal is to reduce crashes on interstate highways in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. According to statistics released by the Rockville barrack, crashes are trending downward in recent years. Troopers based in Rockville responded to 1921 crashes in 2018, 1749 crashes in 2019, and 1121 crashes in 2020.
I hope this happens on I-270, too!
ReplyDeleteSmells like a revenue-raising venture in the guise of law enforcement. In the meantime, car thefts continue unabated, and armed and/or 'strong arm' crimes (robberies and rape) are reported regularly on this blog.
ReplyDeleteI really wish they would give tickets for not going with the flow of traffic. That person going exactly 55 (or worse, slower) when traffic is moving faster can be just as dangerous as the person going 85+.
ReplyDeleteWhat is a "superspeeder" and how many of those 803 citations were issued to them?
ReplyDeleteWere there any citations or warnings issued for slower drivers impeding the flow of traffic in the left lane?
@7:14 AM - You do realize this operation was performed by State Troopers, who have no jurisdiction over local, neighborhood street where car thefts and crimes against person or property occur? I guess not. As the saying goes, right church, wrong pew.
ReplyDeleteSomeone tell the Maryland State Police that there is such thing as a "Barrack".
ReplyDeleteSocialNorm @10.05 AM -- If what you are saying is that the State Troopers are unlikely to do anything about thieves driving cars on the Beltway that have license plates identifying them as having been stolen from local neighborhood streets, I won't disagree with you.
ReplyDelete@6:05 AM Looks like you have to disagree with me then. That's not my point and you knew that. My point is that the crimes you are referring to are committed on local, neighborhood streets, and as such are the purvey of local law enforcement. But, you knew that already with your snide comment.
ReplyDeleteI side with social norm here.
Delete