DC Area Law Enforcement Agencies Turn up the Heat on Aggressive Drivers

WASHINGTON, July 22 -- Just when you thought it couldn't get any hotter, 50 law enforcement agencies in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia are turning up the heat on motorists who drive aggressively on area roads and highways. This summer's third wave of law enforcement aimed at aggressive drivers will occur July 21st through 27th.

This law enforcement wave is the third of four targeted at aggressive drivers throughout the summer. During the previous two waves, held May 19th through 25th and June 16th through 22nd, 50,091 citations and warnings were issued to motorists for aggressive driving behavior. The last law enforcement wave will occur August 25th through 31st.

"During the summer season, when people are on the road to their vacation destinations, it is particularly important for motorists to consider the consequences before driving aggressively," said Acting Sergeant Hugh Bean of the Ocean City Police Department. "Drivers who tailgate, speed, weave in and out of traffic, and run red lights and stop signs cause crashes that can stop a family vacation before it begins. Law enforcement's efforts to target aggressive drivers will make area roads and highways safer for everyone."

The week-long law enforcement wave is part of Smooth Operator, a coordinated public awareness and law enforcement program designed to reduce aggressive driving. Since the Smooth Operator law enforcement program began in 1997, nearly 466,000 citations and warnings have been issued. This year, Smooth Operator has expanded from strictly Washington metropolitan area effort to include every state police barracks in Maryland. Fifty law enforcement agencies are involved in the program, up from 26 last year.

Aggressive driving behavior includes speeding, running red lights and stop signs, tailgating, passing slower traffic on the shoulder, weaving in and out of traffic to gain position and failure to yield the right of way.

Both Maryland and Virginia have tough new laws to target motorists who drive aggressively. Penalties in Virginia can be up to $5,000 in fines and a year in jail. In Maryland, motorists found guilty of aggressive driving can get up to a $350 fine and five points on their driving record.