Street Racing Crackdown On I-70 Nets 65 Traffic Stops: Police

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Police made 65 traffic stops related to an effort to curb illegal street racing in Baltimore County over the weekend. State troopers and Baltimore County officers took part in the effort.

Interstate 70 in the area of I-695 was where the joint enforcement effort focused, according to police.

Investigators said they learned of two illegal street races, including one that was on I-70, and positioned officers strategically in the area.

Street racers shut down the westbound part of the interstate for about 15 minutes during the race, according to police, who reported a crowd of 50 to 60 people had gathered for the event.

When participants were alerted that there was police presence, they started dispersing, authorities said.

Two suspected street racers were stopped and charged, officials reported. Under Maryland code, driving a vehicle on a public road in a speed race or participating as a flagger or timekeeper in such a contest is punishable by a $290 fine and up to five points on a driver's license. They were issued multiple citations, according to officials.

Police said there were 65 traffic stops in all during the effort from Friday, Aug. 17, to Saturday, Aug. 18. State troopers from the Maryland State Police Golden Ring Barrack teamed up with Baltimore County police officers for the initiative.

Three impaired drivers were arrested, and two others were cited for driving on suspended licenses, police reported.

Street Racing Patrol Results From Aug. 17-18

• 65 traffic stops
• 3 impaired drivers charged
• 2 drivers with suspended licenses
• 97 citations
• 33 warnings
• 23 safety equipment repair orders

Authorities say they plan to continue with the crackdown throughout the rest of 2018.

Saturation patrols are part of the Maryland Department of Transportation's campaign Toward Zero Deaths, a high-visibility enforcement effort to reduce crashes caused by speed, alcohol and aggressive driving.

SEE ALSO:

Photos courtesy of Maryland State Police.