If it’s “surging out of control”, meaning there are actually more incidents, I’d chalk it up to speed cameras. The big brother tyranny of the state is pushing borderline people over the edge.
I was in the area on a few occasions doing some contract work. Loved how people fly down 35mph roads at 50-60mph and when you come up to a camera zone everybody drops it down to 25 like they're hitting pit road. As soon as they get beyond camera range, it's boogity, boogity, boogity!
Did you hear about the mobile camera stolen or vandalized the other day? I forget just where it was, but much as I am not a law-breaker, I get a bit excited about these incidents. Just 5 mi from me in Catonsville last year someone burned a permanent camera just emplaced. People are showing some defiance.