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Md. counties crack down on aggressive drivers

By WTOP Staff

WASHINGTON – Police in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties are cracking down on aggressive drivers in Maryland as part of a region-wide safety initiative, called “Smooth Operator.”

Aggressive driving is not just a matter of bad driving, but dangerous driving, according to police.

“Your needs don’t outweigh the safety on the roadway,” says Captain Tom Didone with Montgomery County Police. “And we’re out during ‘Smooth Operator’ to keep things safe.”

Three people die in aggressive driving accidents each day, police estimate. That is 1,000 deaths each year. It’s a number police say is far too high, compared to the national averages.

“This is about people unnecessarily putting people at risk,” Didone says.

“When I go out to the fatal crash scenes, I look to see how this crash occurred. The bad driving in this situation didn’t just happen. It wasn’t a one time occurrance,” he says.

Aggressive driving is so common, many drivers do not realize they are driving in an unsafe way, Didone says. If drivers blow through stop signs, tailgate or speed, they are considered by police to be driving aggressively.

Avoid being an aggressive driver:

  • Allow more travel time to get to your destination. It reduces stress dramatically.
  • Come to a full stop at red lights and stop signs. Never run yellow lights.
  • Let other drivers merge with you.
  • Obey posted speed limits.
  • Don’t follow other drivers too closely.
  • Resist temptation to teach someone “a lesson.”
  • Concentrate on driving – not on the stereo, cell phone, passengers or other distractions.
  • Remember that you can’t control traffic – but you can control yourself, your driving, and your emotions.

Traffic only creates more road rage and aggression in drivers, which then puts responsibility on others on the road to drive defensively.

Avoiding aggressive drivers:

  • Get out of their way and steer clear of them on the road.
  • Stay relaxed. Remember that reaching your destination safely and calmly is your goal.
  • Don’t challenge them. Avoid eye contact. Ignore rude gestures and refuse to return them.
  • Give them the benefit of the doubt. Not all aggressive driving behavior is intentional.
  • Don’t block the passing lane, especially if you are driving slower than most of the traffic. Move over to the right lane.
  • Dial #77 on a cell phone to report aggressive drivers or call your local police when you can.

“Smooth Operator” was started more than 10 years ago when 18 law enforcement agencies coordinated their efforts to get tough on aggressive drivers. It resulted in 62,000 citations that first year.

Now the initiative is launched periodically in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and D.C. to raise awareness and change driver behavior.

WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report. Follow Kate and WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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