Second Wave Of Enhanced Aggressive Driving Enforcement

Tailgating, Speeding, Weaving and Running Red Lights And Stop Signs to Be Targeted

WASHINGTON, June 17 -- Area motorists who tailgate, speed, weave in and out of traffic and run red lights and stop signs should be on the lookout this week. State and local law enforcement agencies will implement this summer's second wave of enhanced enforcement against aggressive driving.

During this year's first wave of aggressive driving law enforcement, from May 19th through 25th, more than 58,760 citations and warnings were issued for aggressive driving behavior. The last two waves of enforcement against aggressive driving will occur July 21st through 27th and August 25th through 31st.

"This month, with school out and children playing outside, it is particularly important for motorists to drive safely on our roads and highways," said Lt. Patrick Burke, Traffic Safety Coordinator of the Metropolitan Police Department. "Those who insist on disobeying our traffic laws and driving aggressively have a high risk of being cited for their behavior behind the wheel."

This year, Smooth Operator, which uses a public awareness campaign and targeted law enforcement efforts to curb aggressive driving, has been expanded from strictly a Washington area campaign to include every state police barracks in Maryland. A total of 50 law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia are involved in the 2002 Smooth Operator campaign, up from 26 in 2001.

Since the Smooth Operator law enforcement program began in 1997, nearly 400,000 citations and more than 7,100 warnings have been issued for aggressive driving behavior in the Washington area alone. In 2000, Smooth Operator was expanded to include a public awareness campaign designed to make motorists aware that everyone has the capacity to become an aggressive driver when stressed or in a hurry.

Aggressive driving behavior includes speeding, tailgating, and failing to yield the right of way. Running red lights and stop signs, changing lanes unsafely, weaving in and out of traffic, using the shoulder to pass slower traffic, and driving with a conscious and willful disregard for safety are also aggressive.

Maryland and Virginia have new laws designed to combat aggressive driving. The Virginia law, which goes into effect on July 1, creates a new offense of aggressive driving for traffic violations that create a hazard or are intended to intimidate or harass another person. Those found guilty of aggressive driving are charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor, which calls for a penalty of up to $2,500 in fines and six months in jail, plus four points on a motorist's driving record. Motorists found guilty of aggressive driving with the intent to injure another person can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor and face up to $5,000 in fines and a year in jail.

Maryland's aggressive driving law, which went into effect October 1, 2001, makes aggressive driving a misdemeanor punishable by a $350 fine and five points on a motorist's driving record. Motorists can be charged with aggressive driving if they commit three or more traffic offenses during a single period of driving.

For more information about the Smooth Operator Program and/or more specific jurisdiction citations and warnings, please contact Liza Aguila- Lemaster of the Maryland Highway Safety Office, State Highway Administration ay 410-787-4079.