May 11th, 2016 by WCBC Radio
From the beginning of I-70 just outside Baltimore City to the scenic mountains of Garrett County on I-68, drivers can expect to see an extra amount of Maryland state troopers tomorrow enforcing speed limits and looking for other dangerous driving behaviors as they work to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities. Troopers assigned to barracks in seven counties will be part of the focused initiative and additional troopers will be added through overtime and grants funded by the Maryland Highway Safety Office.
On April 4, 2016, the speed limit increased on I-70 along the nearly 31-mile segment from U.S. 29 in Howard County to Md. 144 in Frederick County. The speed limit also increased along the 45-mile stretch from Md. 180 in Frederick County to the Washington County/Pennsylvania line. Last October, the limit increased to 70 mph on I-68 to the West Virginia line. Troopers will be working to ensure drivers adhere to the posted speed limits throughout the region.
Thursday’s initiative will be the first of many Maryland State Police high visibility enforcement efforts focusing on dangerous and driving distracted driving this summer. Speeding, distracted driving and unbelted drivers are the three highest contributing factors to crashes and injuries.
In 2015, traffic fatalities in Maryland rose to 520 from 443 the year before. This significant increase is a grim reminder of the need for each driver to obey traffic laws and to pay full attention to driving when behind the wheel. According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, not wearing seat belts, and failing to use crosswalks were the most common causes of traffic fatalities in Maryland last year.
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