Traffic Safety Operation On I-70/I-695 Focused On Speed/Dangerous Driving

(WOODLAWN, MD) — A three-day traffic safety enforcement initiative involved dozens of state troopers saturating an important interstate connection in Baltimore County where a number of tractor trailer crashes have occurred recently due to speed.

From May 12th through May 15th, more than two dozen troopers from the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division and the Golden Ring Barrack focused increased patrols in the area of I-70 and I-695.  Troopers directed specific enforcement to the area of eastbound I-70 approaching the ramp to I-695, where troopers had responded to six jack-knifed tractor trailer crashes in recent months.  The cause of those commercial vehicle crashes was determined to be speed too great for conditions.  In addition to the high risk of injury or death in these types of crashes, they also cause significant traffic delays at a major interstate connection for traffic moving in and through the Baltimore region.

During the three-day operation aimed at both commercial and passenger vehicle drivers committing traffic violations, troopers made 276 traffic stops and issued 149 citations and 149 warnings.  Troopers wrote 68 speeding citations, 40 of which were for speeds of 80 mph or higher.

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division troopers conducted 146 truck safety inspections.  They placed 13 commercial vehicles and 8 drivers out of service for various equipment, safety and regulation violations.

Troopers also cited four drivers for driving on suspended licenses.  One suspended driver had failed to appear in court two times and was wanted on two open warrants for theft and a theft scheme.

Maryland State Police partnered with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration in this ongoing safety effort.  MDOT SHA personnel increased signage in the area in an attempt to increase driver awareness and conducted road surface work.

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division troopers were using some new equipment for speed enforcement during this operation.  They recently obtained 10 new Kustom ProLaser 4 speed measuring units.  The laser units were purchased with Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program funding from the MDOT State Highway Administration Motor Carrier Division, as part of our commercial vehicle safety plan.

Troopers are continuing enforcement initiatives like this throughout Maryland.  Drivers are reminded that as the state reopens and warm weather arrives, more traffic will be on the road.  All traffic laws need to be complied with, especially those related to speed and impaired driving.  Obey the speed limit, don’t drive impaired and always buckle up.