Sponsored Content: Policymakers in Maryland want to change the aggressive driving laws in the state. The proposed changes would make it easier for police to stop aggressive drivers and force alleged offenders to face individuals they affect.
Currently the law states that before a driver is pulled over for aggressive driving, they must commit three offenses in a row. Among these are failing to obey traffic signals, passing another vehicle on the right shoulder, tailgating, failing to yield right of way, and breaking the speed limit by 20 miles per hour or more.
It can sometimes be difficult for a police cruiser to follow a driver after they commit one offense to determine whether they will commit two more. If the law was changed, an officer would only have to observe two of the offenses committed, which would streamline the process for the officer.
In addition to this change, lawmakers also want to force aggressive drivers to appear in court, even if they do not want to fight the charges. Currently, if an aggressive driver agrees they were driving aggressively, they can simply accept the citation and pay for it online or mail in payment. But some say that forcing them to appear in court could be a deterrent for those that want to drive aggressively.
“These changes in laws could have a serious impact on drivers,” says Rockville criminal defense attorney Oleg Fastovsky. “When a person is driving aggressively, they may have to face even more severe consequences.”
Sergeant John O’Brien from the Montgomery County police department is an accident reconstruction specialist that agrees forcing people to appear in court would be a great deterrent. This is because when they can go home and simply pay the fine, they do not have to face those that were hurt. And appearing in court could change that.
About the sponsor: Attorney Oleg Fastovsky has committed his legal practice to criminal defense in the state of Maryland while defending charges such as DUI, drug and gun. This sponsored content is provided by Maryland criminal defense lawyer Oleg Fastovsky with Price Benowitz LLP.
The material published in this article is sponsored content and not a product of the Baltimore Fishbowl editorial team. Any opinions expressed in this material do not necessarily represent the views of Baltimore Fishbowl.
