93 Drivers Pulled Over In Distracted Driving Crackdown

GLEN BURNIE, MD — Authorities say 93 vehicles were pulled over during Wednesday's morning rush hour during an Anne Arundel County Police crackdown for texting while drivers, speeding and other traffic violations. The targeted patrols ran from 7 to 10 a.m. on Ritchie Highway (MD-2) in Glen Burnie in coordination with the Maryland State Police and Maryland Transportation Authority motor units.

Using police motorcycles, as well as marked and unmarked patrol cars, officers made 93 traffic stops and issued 45 citations, as well as 87 warnings for offenses ranging from talking/texting on a cell phone, negligent driving, and failing to obey traffic control devices. Officers issued 13 equipment repair orders for unsafe vehicles, made two arrests for drivers on suspended licenses and one arrest for an outstanding criminal warrant, police said.

This enforcement effort supports the Towards Zero Deaths Campaign of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Maryland Highway Safety Office. Anne Arundel County has experienced many distracted and aggressive driving related crashes and this enforcement effort hopes to reduce the instances of those behaviors, the county police department says.

More than 80 drivers were stopped on Feb. 14 during the second similar patrol performed by county police on Crain Highway (MD-3) in the Crofton/Gambrills area.

There will be more enforcement waves during rush hours throughout the county focused on aggressive/distracted driving and commercial vehicles. Drivers who see any vehicles operated in a careless or reckless manner are asked to contact the police department by calling 911 or the non-emergency number- 410 222-8610.