495 and 270 have devolved into Mad Max land

[Anonymous]

This morning about 9:00am, I had to drive north from the Tysons corner area to Rockville. It's not a drive I normally take and I thought by getting an early start it would be relatively pleasant.

Things started to get dicey approaching the American Legion Bridge. The road construction -- which I understand has been going on perpetually -- narrowed everyone down into a kind of funnel. Nevertheless, everyone was speeding. The semi trailer trucks were the worst offenders -- they were going 65-70 MPH and constantly wandering into my lane. I thought I was going to be hit on multiple occasions. Passing on the right was commonplace, as were seriously close tailgaters. I was driving 55-60 MPH just above the speed limit.

As I approached and got onto 270, the truck traffic thinned out, but it then appeared as though it was racing day for a bunch of young men in their race cars. No less than a half dozen times, guys in fast cars ranging from high end sports cars to souped-up rice burners were busting through traffic going 80-90 MPH, weaving dangerously between cars on the left and right like it was their personal slalom course. Several times they cleared my front bumper by just a few inches. At one point, I was in the far right lane, and one of these guys passed me on the right in the shoulder going about 90 MPH -- his car was bouncing up and down on the dirt as the shoulder narrowed and he swerved in front of me almost losing control of his vehicle. It was clear to me they were doing this deliberately.

My mind kept thinking: WHERE ARE THE POLICE? They were no where.

When I drove back home about 10:30am, I noticed several Transit Police vehicles on the road, and no more egregious racing.

So I have to ask: is there some kind of sweet spot early on Saturday morning that these guys know about where the police are not on duty yet which they exploit to behave like this? I'm just appalled that this isn't being regulated. Someone is going to get killed, and I'd rather it not be me or my family.

[Anonymous]

It’s really true. I’ve been driving 78 mph and people are tailing me and passing me at easily 90-95.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. Is there a tipline or something that can be used to highlight this issue to the police?

[Anonymous]

There is no policing on 495 or 270 below Clarksburg. So it's a free for all. You eventually learn to avoid pick up trucks, Dodge Chargers, Priuses driving 35 in the left lane, minivans, Teslas, and Escalades.

[Anonymous]

WITNESS ME 😤

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be attacked for saying this, but nearly all of the most dangerous drivers racing and swerving around traffic appear to be young men from developing countries. Let the third world in, become the third world, particularly if police are defunded.

Not the folks I’ve seen. I think this started during the pandemic when roads were empty. I can’t believe it continues. It is so dangerous and terrifying. Fairfax police have been cracking down on this reckless driving through four phases of a “road shark” campaign. I hope they continue and it serves as a significant deterrent.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to Maryland, where you can drive like a maniac, drunk, or both, to yours hearts content.

[Anonymous]

Cops don’t want to work so nothing is enforced. It’s a downward spiral.

[Anonymous]

I've seen that - usually they pick a relatively traffic-free time. So watch out when you think you can relax on an empty road... that's when you get caught up in the stupid racing.

[Anonymous]

I’m beginning to think they should put speed cameras everywhere. Very easy problem to solve if we did this. Some will complain about a lack of freedom and a nanny state but there is no reason to allow people to endanger others this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m beginning to think they should put speed cameras everywhere. Very easy problem to solve if we did this. Some will complain about a lack of freedom and a nanny state but there is no reason to allow people to endanger others this way.

That would be great if they were actually a deterrent. You think the guys racing give AF about those tickets?

[Anonymous]

Enforcing traffic regulations is racist.

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3942735-congressional-black-caucus-buttigieg-racist-traffic-enforcement/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m beginning to think they should put speed cameras everywhere. Very easy problem to solve if we did this. Some will complain about a lack of freedom and a nanny state but there is no reason to allow people to endanger others this way.

That would be great if they were actually a deterrent. You think the guys racing give AF about those tickets?

If they raise insurance and eventually take licenses from repeat offenders it should help.

[Anonymous]

It's refund the police and the new efforts not to prosecute non violent crime

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m beginning to think they should put speed cameras everywhere. Very easy problem to solve if we did this. Some will complain about a lack of freedom and a nanny state but there is no reason to allow people to endanger others this way.

That would be great if they were actually a deterrent. You think the guys racing give AF about those tickets?

If they raise insurance and eventually take licenses from repeat offenders it should help.

Do you really think people who drive like that have a license or insurance?? Come on.