A Prince George’s County councilwoman caught speeding 105 mph on the Capital Beltway has now been cited for reckless driving.
Police Chief Mark Magaw cited Councilwoman Karen Toles, D-Suitland, for reckless driving on Tuesday, the second citation issued by police stemming from her Feb. 22 traffic stop. A police executive review panel investigated video of the traffic stop and recommended Magaw issue the additional citation.
Reckless driving charges are given for drivers in wanton and willful disregard of the safety of persons and property, according to state law.
Toles received only a warning for her speeding, which was clocked in excess of 100 mph on the 55 mph Beltway, when county police squad cars pulled her over shortly after noon. An officer at the scene also cited her for an unsafe lane change.
Together the two citations carry fines of $600 and seven points on Toles’ license.
Toles’ lengthy traffic record – she’s received seven citations for breaking various traffic laws since 2009 – now places her at risk of having her license suspended.
The councilwoman already has two points on her license, according to state Motor Vehicle Administration records, and state law requires that a license be automatically suspended when eight points are accumulated.
Magaw said the officer at the scene didn’t make a mistake when choosing to only issue a warning for speeding. The officer did not have a properly calibrated radar gun and was unable to establish a pace to determine exactly how fast Toles was going as she sped southbound on the Beltway, according to police.
Toles can plead guilty to the citations and pay the fines, or challenge them in court, police said.
