Troopers Focus On Capital Beltway Commercial Vehicles During Three-Day Operation

(BETHESDA, MD) – For the past three days, troopers from the Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division conducted a focused initiative on I-495 in Montgomery County that resulted in hundreds of citations/warnings being issued and hundreds of trucks being inspected.

Named “Operation 495/Green Tree Road Part 3,” the initiative from May 4^th through 6^th deployed more than two dozen troopers onto I-495 in the area along the Capital Beltway near Green Tree Road and I-270.  Troopers focused on commercial vehicle driving offenses, but were also alert to passenger vehicle drivers who committed offenses around commercial vehicles.

The goal of the initiative was to reduce motor vehicle crashes, especially those involving tractor trailers, as well as to enforce the speed limit in that area.  During the operation, troopers issued 149 traffic citations, 71 of which were for speeding.  They also issued 213 warnings.

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division personnel conducted 251 inspections of commercial vehicles.  They placed 25 vehicles and 18 drivers out of service for a variety of violations.  One driver was arrested on a warrant and one was charged on a civil citation for marijuana possession.

Personnel from the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division will continue to work in partnership with troopers from each of the three Maryland State Police barracks along the Capital Beltway in their ongoing traffic enforcement efforts.  Additional initiatives are planned in upcoming weeks.