Fourth Wave of Aggressive Driving Law Enforcement Scheduled for August 25-31

PIKESVILLE, Md., Aug. 26 -- As students begin to return to school, law enforcement officers are out in force on area roads and highways, seeking out and issuing citations to aggressive drivers. Motorists who speed, tailgate, run red lights and stop signs, and weave in and out of traffic should be prepared to be stopped and cited for their driving behavior.

"With school coming back in session, it is time for aggressive drivers to get smart and drive safely," said Colonel David B. Mitchell, superintendent of the Maryland State Police. "Police in the State of Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia will be on the lookout for aggressive drivers in an effort to enhance safety on our roads and highways, particularly for children on their way to school."

This law enforcement wave, from August 25-31, is the last of four specifically targeted at aggressive drivers this summer. Earlier law enforcement waves, which occurred May 19-25, June 16-22, and July 21-27, resulted in 166,253 citations and warnings issued to motorists for aggressive driving behavior.

The targeted law enforcement is part of Smooth Operator, a cooperative law enforcement and public awareness campaign designed to reduce the incidence of aggressive driving in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia. When the Smooth Operator program began in 1997, only 18 law enforcement agencies were involved. Today, 50 law enforcement agencies participate in the program, including every barracks of the Maryland State Police. Between 1997 and 2001, nearly 400,000 citations were issued to area motorists for aggressive driving behavior.

The Smooth Operator law enforcement efforts are accompanied by a comprehensive public awareness campaign designed to remind motorists that everyone behind the wheel can drive aggressively when stressed or angry. Spots, narrated by MotorWeek's John Davis, are running on area radio stations to reach motorists in their cars. In addition, posters featuring a child's shoes scattered near tire skid marks are being displayed on bus backs.

Aggressive driving behavior includes speeding, tailgating and failure to yield the right of way. Running red lights and stop signs, weaving in and out of traffic, using the shoulder to pass slower traffic, and changing lanes in an unsafe manner also are considered aggressive driving.

Both Maryland and Virginia have new laws which provide penalties for aggressive driving. The Maryland law, which went into effect in October 2001, charges aggressive drivers with a misdemeanor punishable by a $350 fine and five points on the person's driving record. Motorists can be charged with aggressive driving if they commit three or more traffic offenses during a single period of driving.

The Virginia law, which went into effect July 1, 2002, 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 can be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor, and can be penalized up to $2,500 in fines and six months in jail, plus four points on their driving record. Those found guilty of aggressive driving with the intent to injure another person can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor, and can face up to $5,000 in fines and a year in jail.