PGPD to Implement Electronic Traffic Citation Program

Jan 28th, 2010

The following is from the Nixel bulletins at http://local.nixle.com/prince-georges-county-police-department/

The Prince George’s County Police Department, under the project management of Lieutenant Henry White, has begun issuing motorists electronic traffic citations, warnings and equipment repair orders for motor vehicle infractions.

The Electronic Traffic Information Exchange (E-TIX) Program was developed by two Maryland State Troopers seeking to increase officer safety by reducing the amount of time troopers spent on the roadside writing traffic-related citations. The new law, effective in August 2007, eliminates the need for violators to sign citations.

From their cruisers, officers will be able to scan the barcode on a driver’s license and the driver information will automatically populate the traffic document. They will even have the ability to review a color photo of a driver provided by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration in order to assist in verifying a driver’s identity. Information on a driver’s previous traffic stops and warnings they received will be readily available. Additionally, checks of local, state, and national databases will be automatically be checked for additional information such as arrest warrants on file.

Every license plate entered into the system will reveal whether or not a vehicle has been reported stolen.

E-TIX allows officers to spend less time on traffic stops by allowing up to four charges to be recorded on one citation instead of one charge per offense. Motorists will receive a printed copy of the violation. Both officers and motorists will increase their safety by having the amount of time spent parked on the side of the road cut nearly in half. One additional benefit to the driving public is that shorter traffic stops create less opportunity for onlookers to affect the traffic flow.

“I am excited to have our agency be a part of cutting edge mobile technology, particularly when it promotes the safety of both officers and motorists,” said Chief Roberto Hylton. “E-TIX will provide us the ability to quickly share information with other agencies. It will also help improve officer efficiency, allowing them to issue traffic citations and equipment repair orders in half the time of conventional ticket writing.”

For full details, go to http://local.nixle.com/alert/979199/.

Address/Location
Prince George’s County Police Department
7600 Barlowe Rd
Hyattsville, MD 20785

Contact
Emergencies: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 301-333-4000