WASHINGTON DC prosecutors can chase down unlawful Maryland drivers thanks to a new law.
Under the Steer Act, drivers in the neighboring state will be held accountable for traffic violations in America’s capital.
Maryland drivers can be sued by Washington DC for violating traffic laws thanks to a new act[/caption]
The Steer Act is cracking down on out-of-state drivers who collect tickets and fines in the US capital[/caption]
In April, DC officials passed a series of laws under the Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education, and Responsibility Act (STEER.)
As of Tuesday, they are updating the legislation with new laws that allow DC lawyers to sue Maryland drivers over infractions.
With the update, the attorney general can file civil suits no matter where the unlawful driver lives.
This law was introduced by DC Councilmember Charles Allen, who noted in a post on his website that one Maryland driver racked up over $180,000 in fines without paying.
In the July post, he said drivers could freely break the rules knowing there wouldn’t be consequences.
“This new authority will allow them to go after scofflaws to show drivers the city means business,” he said.
The crackdown came one month after a Maryland driver with $20,000 in unpaid tickets slammed into a 12-year-old girl who was crossing the street.
Even though the girl had the right of way, the driver walked away with nothing but a ticket and a reckless driving charge.
“If someone hit her with his fists, he would get arrested,” the girl’s mom, Deirdre Allen, told The Washington Post.
“But he hit her with a car, so he just gets a ticket and can walk away.”
Under Steer, anyone convicted of reckless driving can have devices called speed governors installed in their cars to limit how fast they can drive.
Thanks to the new laws, those who have their car stolen will also not face any tickets or fines racked up by the thief.
DC’s Mayor Muriel Bowser has launched an initiative called Vision Zero which seeks to eliminate traffic deaths, Axios reported.
Her plan was to have zero fatalities this year, but so far, 42 people have died in 2023 from traffic-related incidents.
This means fatalities are already up 11% year to date.
More laws will be rolled out under Steer, but the city is awaiting funding.
Under the program, DC drivers can eventually expect a point system to be rolled out, which will ding drivers with a number every time they are caught speeding by traffic cameras.
With traffic cameras popping up across the country, drivers should be extra careful to check speed limit signs as they cruise along the road.
In residential areas with no signs, drivers should expect to abide by a 20 mph speed limit.
The crackdown comes as one driver said she was charged $300 for speeding in a town she had never visited.
Proper conduct during a traffic stop
According to the ACLU, there are a few tips for ensuring a smooth traffic stop, no matter the violation.
- Stop the vehicle in a safe place away from traffic as soon as possible.
- Kill the engine, roll down the windows, and place your hands on the driving wheel. If it’s dark outside, turn on the interior lights to give the officer a good visual. If you’re in the passenger’s seat, keep your hands visible.
- Only reach for your purse or wallet, registration, and proof of insurance when instructed to by the officers. Do not reach for the glove box until prompted by the officer.
- Do not make sudden movements. Narrate everything you’re doing, ie, “I’m reaching for my purse in the backseat.”
- Keep your tone calm and respectful.
Source: ACLU
