FORT WASHINGTON, Md. (DC News Now) — A safety crackdown on speeders in Maryland, it is a popular stretch of highway that takes commuters from Prince George’s County into the District.
Lawmakers want to raise the fines for tickets given to drivers caught speeding on 219 Indian Highway.
Fort Washington resident Belinda Smith supports the proposed legislation being pushed in Annapolis.
“I think that would be a good idea, we’ve lost lots of families on 210,” she said. “I’ve heard about lots of people getting hurt due to accidents on this highway that is unreal so I think this would be a benefit to us all and they need to learn a lesson that they need to slow down.”
The proposed legislation introduces a tiered fine system with hefty speeding fines from $60 all the way up to $500.
Under current law, drivers exceeding the 55 mph limit by 12 mph or more face a $40 fine with no points added to their license.
Skip Johnson from Fort Washington believes larger fines will make a difference.
“Some pay it, some others probably won’t and I don’t think it will be a deterrent to stop speeding but what they need is more traffic enforcement but they probably won’t do it for a lack of personnel or don’t have enough police,” Johnson said.
On average, 80,000 vehicles travel on that highway every day. Whatever way the bill goes Cpl. Eric Marsh from the Prince George’s County Police Department just wants drivers to slow down and play it smart.
“So as the Prince George’s County Police Department, our primary focus is to ensure the safety of our citizens and one of the things we want to do is encourage our citizens to obey the speed limit,” Marsh said.
Lawmakers are expected to hear testimony on the bill Friday.
