The Maryland State Police, College Park Barrack, Calls For Service/Arrest: 6/1/20-6/7/20

This press release is designed to inform the public of our commitment to ensuring safety and enforcing the laws in Maryland.

Our message this week is aggressive driving kills.  Aggressive driving is a traffic offense defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as occurring when “an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property.” It is not road rage, which is a criminal offense defined as “an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle or an assault precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway.” Aggressive driving behaviors include:

• Speeding;
• Following too closely, or “tailgating”;
• Running red lights, stop signs and other traffic control devices;
• Improper passing, failing to signal intent, using emergency lanes, or passing on a shoulder; and • Weaving in and out of lanes and unsafe lane changes.

Speed is a significant aggressive driving behavior and is estimated to be a contributing factor in over one-third of fatal crashes nationwide. The probability of death and debilitating injury grows with impacts at higher speeds—doubling for every 10 MPH over 50 MPH that a vehicle travels. The Federal Highway Administration found that, on average, 70 percent of motorists exceed the posted speed limits. The economic cost of speed-related crashes is estimated to be $40.4 billion annually—$76,865 per minute or $1,281 per second.

Our message is clear, allow plenty of time while commuting, slow down, drive respectfully and relax.  Our family’s lives depend on it.

Reporting period 6/1/20-6/7/20

Vehicle collisions that required a report: 23

Vehicle collisions that did not require a report: 19

Community policing activity: 2

Disabled/unattended vehicles: 24

DUI arrests: 9

Miscellaneous: 24

Premise checks: 85

Traffic stops: 435

Vehicle storages: 3

Criminal/civil investigations: 21 (Drugs, Theft, Assault, Domestic Violence, Warrants)

Below is a list of individuals that were arrested in this time period:

Date/Time:     Last name:      First name:       Charge:

CONTACT: D/Sgt. Pietanza, Maryland State Police, College Park Barrack, (301)345-3101 Source: Maryland MVA