Maryland State Police say that they are conducting enhanced patrols in response to an uptick in speeding and truck crashes.
Maryland troopers say that they are conducting ongoing enforcement activities on and around the Capital Beltway with a focus on drivers who are speeding or driving aggressively.
The campaign kicked off on April 26 was initially set to end on May 1. However, troopers now say that the effort will continue for an undetermined amount of time.
As part of the enforcement campaign, troopers are using directional radar and unmarked patrol cars to “surpris[e] speeding drivers who rely on ‘apps’ to notify them of enforcement.”
So far, troopers say that they’ve issued nearly 200 speeding citations as part of the campaign.
Troopers say that the enforcement effort was put into place after two semi trucks crashed on the Capitol Beltway within 12 hours on April 23 and 24. Maryland State Police said that both crashes “had contributing factors that included speed too great for conditions and driver inattention.” Troopers also said that since March 1, 2020, they’ve responded to more than 30 crashes on the Capitol Beltway involving commercial vehicles.
From April 26 — May 1, the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division conducted 26 commercial vehicle inspections as part of the enforcement campaign. Eleven trucks and three drivers were taken out of service for various violations.
Troopers believe that drivers are taking advantage of lighter traffic caused by the state’s Stay-At-Home orders to speed and drive aggressively.
In addition to the enforcement effort, Maryland troopers also contacted Drivewyze, a commercial vehicle driver app’and requested they issue warnings to truck drivers in the area. The warning told drivers about the recent crashes and reminded them to stay alert and reduce their speed, especially during bad weather.