[SoldierDad]

Whether the speed limit is an arbitrary number set to generate revenue or not, the woman exceeded the posted speed limit and an officer lost his life because of her decision and poor driving. Arguing that the posted speed limit is for revenue generation has no bearing on the events in this case. If you choose to ignore the posted speed limit (whether you like that posted limit or not) and are involved in a traffic accident due to excessive speed, then you will need to be prepared to accept the consequences. IMHO, the woman got off way too light.

[sitetest]

Dear SoldierDad,

“Whether the speed limit is an arbitrary number set to generate revenue or not, the woman exceeded the posted speed limit and an officer lost his life because of her decision and poor driving.”

No, that's not true. The officer lost his life because he stepped out into traffic speeding by at roughly 70 mph. Not a terribly safe thing to do. At least in terms of legal accountability, a grand jury cleared this woman of responsibility of the officer's death.

“If you choose to ignore the posted speed limit (whether you like that posted limit or not) and are involved in a traffic accident due to excessive speed, then you will need to be prepared to accept the consequences.”

The consequences, in this case, were appropriate and proportionate. I don't know whether you realize it or not, but in Maryland, 16 mph over the speed limit isn't even considered a major speeding offense. 1 - 9 mph over the limit is punished by one point on one's license. 10+ mph over the limit is punished by two points on one's license. 30+ mph over the limit where the speed limit is less than 65 mph brings a five point penalty, and 20+ mph over the limit where the speed limit is 65 mph (the artificially and arbitrarily defined upper speed limit in Maryland) brings five points, as well.

Reckless driving brings six points.

Thus, by the STATE'S definition, driving at 71 mph in a 55 mph is a relatively minor traffic infraction.

“MHO, the woman got off way too light.”

It seems that you're the one not entirely prepared to deal with the ACTUAL consequences of this case - that the woman was NOT prosecuted for a felony, that a grand jury did NOT consider her actions even close enough to felonious to warrant the finding of probably cause required to prosecute her, and that her punishment amounted to a $310 fine and likely a couple of points on her license.

I'm fully prepared to accept that as the consequences of this woman's speeding. What about you?

sitetest

[Wallace T.]

Why didn't the police officer get into his car or onto his motorcycle and chase the speeder? That has been standard procedure for catching traffic violators for a very long time. The officer used incredibly poor judgment in the fulfillment of his duties. Not that this exonerates the driver, of course, and a $310 fine plus a few points on her driving record seems awfully light. However, you cannot deny that the officer was partially at fault for his lack of judgment.