CHEVERLY, Md. — Maryland is expected to crackdown on pop-up car rallies starting this summer by penalizing drivers who participate in what is being called 'exhibition driving.'
Under current Maryland law, participating in a race or speed contest is punishable with up to a year in jail, but engaging in stunts or loud driving is not.
Prince George's County Police say around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, more than 200 cars closed down the intersection of Landover Road and Kilmer Street in Cheverly in what officials are calling a street takeover. Officers dispersed the crowd that continued to Beltsville, according to police.
Several citations were issued and a car was impounded, but no arrests were made according to a Prince George's County Police spokesperson.
"It's dangerous, life-threatening, disruptive to our communities and we are going to put a stop to it," Del. Mary Lehman told WUSA9.
The Maryland delegate who represents parts of Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties, sponsored the bill that targets exhibition driving. She says the events that are organized and publicized on social media platforms, became more dangerous and common during the pandemic.
Lehman's bill makes participating in car meetups a punishable offense with a fine of up to $1,000. Drivers could also face up to eight points on their driver's license and up to 60 days in jail. If someone is seriously injured, the points go up to 12, and the jail time goes up to a year.
"Even if you have had a completely clean record, and you are cited, and you go to court, if you are convicted, you automatically get enough points to be in suspension range or expulsion range," Lehman said.
The law emulates what Ocean City did to crack down on the dangerous meetups. Witnesses who testified in a House of Delegates hearing reported that only one citation was issued in the beachfront city in 2023.
Lehman said the biggest deterrent is making this crime a "must-appear offense."
"You will go to court; you don't get to prepay the fine anymore like you would for some other traffic violation," she said. "It is as serious as getting a DUI. You will go face a judge."
The bill is set to go into effect on June 1, pending Gov. Wes Moore's signature next week.
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