In February of 2012, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office received numerous traffic complaints regarding motorist traveling on Maryland Route 5 in the area of Bay Ridge Road in Great Mills, Maryland. Citizen’s reported that motorists traveling northbound on Route 5 approaching Bay Ridge Road were using the right shoulder and turn lane at the intersection of Bay Ridge Road to pass vehicles waiting in traffic during evening rush hour.
On February 27, 2012 the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Unit issued a Public Service Announcement Press Release reminding motorist that it is a violation of Maryland Traffic Law, specifically, Transportation Article 21 304 c, to: “Driving motor vehicle off roadway while passing vehicle.” The violation carries a fine of $110.00 and (1) point.
On February 28, 2012 the Sheriff’s Office conducted traffic enforcement at the intersection in an attempt to educate motorist of this traffic violation. As a result of that enforcement, (107) verbal warnings and (56) written warnings were issued.
Since February, the Special Operations Traffic Safety Unit has conducted a traffic survey of the roadway, intersection and traffic flow during rush hour. As a result of our internal survey, the Sheriff’s Office contacted the Maryland State Highway Administration and requested that they too conduct a traffic study at the intersection. State Highway has agreed to evaluate the situation to determine if road improvement can be implemented to address the situation. Such traffic studies can take up to three months to complete.
On May 1, 2012, the Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Unit conducted another Community Traffic Enforcement effort in the area of Bay Ridge Drive and Maryland Route 5 in Great Mills, Maryland. As a result of the enforcement effort, (74) traffic citations and (6) warnings were issued.
The Sheriff’s Office will continue to educate motorists and conduct directed enforcement measures in an effort to enforce Maryland traffic law and alleviate the traffic safety problem.
