The lockdown due to COVID-19 is making for picturesque photos of America’s roads. With fewer drivers and open lanes, people are able to see photos of the Beltway and other Maryland roads that are either free of cars or that show limited traffic. The reduced traffic is affecting the number of traffic accidents too. With people staying at home, the reduction in cars and trucks on the road means drivers have more time to react to emergencies and there are fewer vehicles that might crash into them.
These open roads and highways are creating more dangers though too. Drivers now think that since there’s so little traffic, that they’re free to speed and drive recklessly. A few examples of dangerous and illegal drivers was recently reported in US News. These examples are alarming the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
- Colorado, Indiana, Utah, and Nebraska. These states have clocked drivers going faster than 100 mph.
- Los Angeles. Cars are traveling 30% faster on some roads, which is “prompting changes to traffic lights and pedestrian walk signals.”
- New York City. Nearly 25,000 speeding tickets were issued on March 27, nearly double the amount of tickets issued for the same roads a month earlier. The tickets were issued by non-human contact-automated speed cameras.
- Minnesota. The number of car crashes and car-related deaths has doubled as compared to prior years. Half of these crashes and fatalities were due to speeding or negligent driving.
GHSA executive director Jonathan Adkins emphasized that law enforcement officers have the same priority as health care providers – to save lives. It’s especially critical for drivers to follow the laws because the emergency rooms are already filled with COVID-19 patients. This means that car accident victims may not get the care they need and may be exposed to COVID-19 if emergency care is required.
We’re not much better here in Maryland
Before you start to feel a little superior to the good people of Nebraska, know that Maryland is no walk in the park, either. Apparently, Maryland State Police issued 149 traffic citations – 71 for speeding – between May 4 and May 6 alone. And they issued 213 warnings during that time, too, which means an awful lot of you guys were out there living it up on the roads.
Defenses to traffic violation charges
Speeding and other traffic offenses might not hold the same weight as, like, murdering someone, but they’re no day at the beach. Convictions usually mean large fines and increased insurance premiums. In some cases, your license may be suspended. There’s even the possibility of jail time if you were driving while your license was suspended or for other violations.
A citation doesn’t mean drivers are guilty. Drivers have the right to contest traffic citations. They also have the right to contest administration actions such as the suspension of your license. The police officer and state still need to prove their case. The equipment such as cameras or radar may be invalid. There may have been an explanation – such as that speeding was necessary to avoid a serious collision.
Criminal cases and administrative cases are still proceeding though some cases may be heard remotely. To speak with a skilled Annapolis and Ellicott City traffic lawyer, call Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law. He’s been fighting for the rights of the accused for 20 years. To schedule an appointment (remote calls or in-person depending on the current status of the COVID-19 virus), call us at 410-271-1892, or use our contact form.
And remember: Keep Calm – and Call Drew.
