MD Police Target Speeding, Aggressive Driving On Capital Beltway

ROCKVILLE, MD — With fewer cars on the Capital Beltway during the coronavirus stay-at-home order, Maryland State Police are ramping up their efforts in citing speeders and aggressive drivers.

In recent weeks, Rockville Barrack troopers have teamed up with the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division to catch drivers taking advantage of the open roads.

From April 26 to May 1, law enforcement officials issued 155 traffic citations between Green Tree Road and I-270:

• 80-89 mph – 115 citations
• 90-99 mph – 31 citations
• 100+ mph – 9 citations

The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division targeted trucks operating in that area. State police said they conducted 26 commercial vehicle inspections, "which resulted in 11 trucks and three drivers being placed out of service for various violations."

On Sunday, troopers from the College Park Barrack issued more than two dozen speeding tickets to drivers on the Capital Beltway and I-95:

• 80-89 mph – 3 citations
• 90-99 mph – 12 citations
• 100+ mph – 7 citations, including speeds measured at 114, 120, 130 and 136 mph

Over the weekend, Forestville Barrack troopers issued 14 citations to drivers speeding on I-495:

• 80-89 mph – 10 citations
• 90-99 mph – 1 citation
• 100+ mph – 3 citations

"Maryland State Police highway safety initiatives in this region and throughout the state will continue, in cooperation with the Maryland Department of Transportation and local law enforcement," troopers said in a statement. "Please obey the speed limit, do not drive aggressively or impaired and always buckle up."

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