Resort Supports Legislation For 12-Month Exhibition Driving Charge Mayor Testifies In Support In Annapolis

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Officials say proposed legislation making its way through the Maryland General Assembly could allow the Town of Ocean City to enforce exhibition driving violations year-round.

Last month, Mayor Rick Meehan, Ocean City Police Department Chief Ross Buzzuro, City Solicitor Heather Stansbury and other officials with the Town of Ocean City came before the Judicial Proceedings Committee in Annapolis to show their support for Senate Bill 147. During an Ocean City Police Commission meeting this week, Meehan said the legislation would essentially incorporate the town’s special event zone laws into Maryland law on a year-round basis.

“In other words, it wouldn’t have to be a special event zone,” he said, “and the definitions and penalties for reckless and demonstration driving would now become Maryland law.”

Simply put, Senate Bill 147 – filed by Sen. Pamela Beidle and cross-filed in the House by Del. Mary Lehman – would prohibit a person from engaging in exhibition driving, authorize the towing or impounding of vehicles involved in such violations, and provide penalties of up to one year of imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both in the event of bodily injury.

In last month’s hearing in Annapolis, Meehan testified that the legislation had been effective in curbing illegal behavior associated with the unsanctioned pop-up car rally in town.

By way of background, town officials came before the state legislature in 2018 seeking a special event zone in Ocean City during select motorized events, including the unsanctioned pop-up event. The special event zone – which included reduced speed limits, higher fines and altered traffic patterns – was later amended to include the infraction of exhibition driving.

“This made a difference …,” he said. “That first year after the bill was passed, we cited less than 23 violators. The second year, we cited or arrested 56 violators. The third year, we arrested or cited two violators. The legislation discouraged this behavior in Ocean City and absolutely reduced the number of arrests and violations.”

Meehan also told members of the Judicial Proceedings Committee that the legislation had been effective in moving the event from Ocean City to Wildwood, N.J.

“This legislation is important and necessary,” he said. “These vehicles become weapons, seriously jeopardiz- ing the safety of other vehicles, pedestrians, and citizens of the state of Maryland.”

In an update this week, Meehan told police commission members he’d hoped his testimony would encourage the General Assembly to adopt the bill. He noted the bill was vetoed last year over amendments to certain definitions.

“We have asked for a favorable recommendation without changes, and I think that’s what we’re going to get,” he said.

When asked if the legislation would still give the town the ability to adjust speed limits, Meehan said it would.

“We can still do the special event zone,” he said. “It doesn’t take that away at all.”

Buzzuro added that it would allow the town to enforce laws associated with exhibition driving at any time.

“It doesn’t have to be for a special event zone …,” he said. “We’ll be able to enforce exhibition driving day to day, on an hour-by-hour basis, if we need to. That gives us an extra ability.”

Super Bowl Fun:

Worcester Preparatory School held “Super Bowl Friday” last week. For a $2 donation to Catch a Lift (CAL), students and staff were able to wear their favorite team’s jersey or colors. CAL enables veterans to recover and rehab both physically and mentally through physical fitness programs. CAL was founded in memory of Army Cpl. Chris Coffland, who lost his life in Afghanistan while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in November 2009. Coffland’s niece, Tony Phillips, graduated from WPS in 2005. Coffland was also a teammate and roommate to Head of School Dr. John McDonald while attending Washington and Lee University. Above left, McDonald is pictured with Wesley Wisniewski, McKenna DePalma and Vivien Ruggerio. Above, front from left, are seventh graders Scarlett Shimko, Rani Yonker and Harper Hertrich; and, back, Samantha Kuon, Nora Gorfinkel and Vivien Ruggerio. At left, Philadelphia Eagles fans included Assistant Head of School/Head of Upper School Mike Grosso and students Sadie Kremer, Isabella Rice, Will Johnson, CJ Labin, Luca DiFebo, Landon Carmean, Soloman Prosser, Dominic Capello, Tobi Blaska, Robert Hidell, Maverick Pyne, Freddy Hertrich, Allie Kuon, Remy Hertrich and Isabella Labin. Submitted Photos