Do Maryland State and County cops not care about speeders or aggressive drivers anymore? (Baltimore: crime, live)

[ameme234]

I have been noticing in the last few years, from southern Maryland through DC, Baltimore and the North, that police let people speed. I commute on 210, 495, 95 south and north, 695, 70, route 40 and other highways. Recently I have noticed that people who hardly speed get pulled over; its happened right in front of me. Usually when I drive on the beltways, people go at least 70mph, which is 15 over and still too slow.

I usually try not to speed, but lately I have to keep up with the traffic, but that can still be too slow.. I used to speed a lot, 80+ on the beltways, but I've been trying not too, but its difficult when everyone is passing you even if your going 15+ in the slow lane. It honestly feels safer to speed then drive 55mph, which hardly anyone does.

I've seen someone go about 63mph on 695 get pulled over (I was going 60mph). A week ago I saw someone get pulled over going about 52 on 40 in Ellicott city (I was going about 49 mph). Usually people go 65. I have even gone 70.

On 210 I see people go 75+ often. There was even a police interceptor who cars were speeding around. I have noticed a ton of police speeding just to speed..

On 495, a PG county cop was going at least 80 with two cars following them, one beside the cop and one behind.

I'm just wondering if they care less about people speeding 20+ over the speed limit compared to those who go under 10 miles over the speed limit.


I have nothing against people who speed, just the ones who are not good at it. Also nothing against the police. I'm sure they get speeders, just sharing what I've noticed.

I've been speeding a bit again because I don't see a point in driving the speed limit.

[bufflove]

"I have nothing against people who speed, just the ones who are not good at it."

Maybe it's the same for cops and that's what they're focusing on?

[papichulo2]

Whats the point of this topic? sound like whining on this entire post.

[North Beach Person]

Well here in Southern Maryland every law enforcement agency aggressively enforces speed limits.

That would would be Maryland State Police and the Sheriff Departments of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's Counties. I've received tickets or warnings from all four.

[snatale1]

Originally Posted by bufflove

Maybe it's the same for cops and that's what they're focusing on?

Yup! I'm not a cop but I've know a ton of them and thats typically their mindset. Get the hell out of there way when their coming and don't fly by them, they got crime to worry about. Obviously that isn't the case for traffic cops since that's their focus.

[tgs_bg]

Police are understaffed state wide so they are operating below their slotted manpower, especially in the major metropolitan areas. With less officers on the roadways that means the ones that are working are handling more calls for service. Since officers are going from call to call, they don't have the time like they used to to commit to traffic enforcement.

Don't assume that cops are pulling people over for speed if they are going less than 10 or 15 over when everyone else is traveling much faster. It could be another violation such as using a cell phone, no seatbelt, expired registration, or an equipment violation, to name a few.

[tekboi]

I figured it was an east coast thing. I moved here from the south a few months ago. One of the first things I noticed is that people here have zero respect for the speed limit on the highway. Back home, I was pulled over for just going 5 miles above the limt. YES, 5 MILES. I also notice that drivers here suck and are rude. If you're trying to get on the interstate from an on ramp, good luck. People will speed up JUST to make sure you don't get over in time.

[bufflove]

Originally Posted by tekboi

I figured it was an east coast thing. I moved here from the south a few months ago. One of the first things I noticed is that people here have zero respect for the speed limit on the highway. Back home, I was pulled over for just going 5 miles above the limt. YES, 5 MILES. I also notice that drivers here suck and are rude. If you're trying to get on the interstate from an on ramp, good luck. People will speed up JUST to make sure you don't get over in time.

Oh, certainly everyone goes at least 10 over, when possible, in the DC area. We all get stuck in traffic enough that open road is too enticing not to take advantage of. I've speed all my life and never gotten pulled over in the DC area; no one cares, so long as you're not driving erratically or 20+ over (granted, I'm a white guy - different rules for different folks, I'm sure).

[DaveinMtAiry]

Originally Posted by papichulo2

Whats the point of this topic? sound like whining on this entire post.

Yeah I saw it the same way. Police officers are humans, some pull over speeders more than others do..why try to make blanket statements that they should all do tue exact same thing everywhere?

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by tekboi

I figured it was an east coast thing. I moved here from the south a few months ago. One of the first things I noticed is that people here have zero respect for the speed limit on the highway. Back home, I was pulled over for just going 5 miles above the limt. YES, 5 MILES. I also notice that drivers here suck and are rude. If you're trying to get on the interstate from an on ramp, good luck. People will speed up JUST to make sure you don't get over in time.

Back home... Don't say that aloud in public. You must realize that people move to the area for jobs. New Yorkers and New Jersians are allowed to drive there...even. You're probably not old enough to get that.

The officers are concerned with unsafe driving. If you're tearing up the left lane, weaving in and out, seriously tailgating or multitasking, they'll pull you over.

I've lived in a few states and stayed (less than a year) in a few more. There are fast and rude drivers everywhere. Everywhere.

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