Tougher Penalties Await MD 210 Speeders, Come Oct 1, 2025
- John Seng
- Sep 12
- 2 min read
Roadway Safety in Prince George’s County: MD 210 as a Case Study
Prince George’s County has long struggled with roadway safety, and the numbers are sobering. Despite having slightly fewer residents than Montgomery County, Prince George’s consistently suffers nearly twice as many fatal crashes. This isn’t just a statistic; it represents real lives lost and families torn apart.
Countywide Crash Facts
Since January 1, 2024, there have been 31,312 crashes in Prince George’s County. On an average day, 11 people are injured or killed on our roads. These numbers highlight a pressing need for stronger safety measures and embracing a culture of responsible driving.
MD 210: The Highway of Concern
No road better illustrates the county’s traffic crisis than Maryland Route 210 (Indian Head Highway), which runs nearly 21 miles from Potomac Avenue in Indian Head north to the District of Columbia boundary; including a mere 13.6 miles within Prince George’s County beginning from Oxon Hill in the north.
Daily traffic: About 80,000 vehicles travel MD 210 each day.
Crash rate: On average, there is one crash per day on this highway.
You may have seen the memorial signs near the Kerby/Livingston overpass that read: “Dedicated to MD 210 Crash Victims.” They are close to where Samira Jenkins lost her life in March 2018, and where Alexander, Rosalie, and Isaac Mejia died in December 2018. The signs are a somber reminder of the nearly 100 people who have died on MD 210 in the last 18 years.
Speeding and Enforcement
To address the risks, six state-of-the-art speed cameras now operate along MD 210. The results are telling:
224 vehicles per day are cited for speeding.
16% of those cited are driving at 75 mph or faster.
Two-thirds of citations go to repeat offenders.
25 drivers have each accumulated more than 50 citations.
These numbers reveal that while most people drive responsibly, a small group of reckless drivers poses a serious danger to everyone else.
Tougher Penalties Coming October 1, 2025
Thanks to a new law passed earlier in 2025, beginning this fall, MD 210 speed camera fines will be graduated based on speed:
67–70 mph: $40 fine.
Higher speeds: fines increase step by step.
95 mph or more: a $425 fine.
This new penalty structure is designed to hold the most dangerous drivers accountable and deter excessive speeding.
The Bottom Line
Prince George’s County bears more than its share of fatal crashes, and MD 210 is a prime example of the problem. While most drivers travel safely, a small percentage of reckless, repeat violators endanger thousands daily. Stronger enforcement, community awareness, and ongoing advocacy are essential if we are to make our roads safer.
Maryland lawmakers, beginning with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, the Maryland General Assembly as well as advocates, led by the Route 210 Traffic Safety Committee, all participated to bring forth this new law to improve MD 210 road safety.
It's time for the driving public to respect speed limits, and one another.
Ron Weiss, Route 210 Traffic Safety Committee; Maryland Coalition for Roadway Safety board member