Deputy First Class Eric Goodman, Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office and Queen Anne’s County Community Traffic Safety Program Coordinator Terry Ober received recognition for Outstanding Service for the 2009 Smooth Operator Campaign. Deputy Goodman was recognized for his outstanding enforcement of aggressive driving while Mr. Ober was recognized for coordinating law enforcement agencies and conducting public awareness and providing education to inform the public about aggressive driving and to encourage them to be more aware of their potential to drive aggressively especially in congested traffic or when they are stressed.

The Smooth Operator Campaign is a unique public safety initiative. Smooth Operator was founded in 1997 with 18 law enforcement agencies coordinating efforts to get tough on aggressive drivers in the greater Washington, D.C. area. It has become the model program for the nation and is growing every year. Smooth Operator is a partnership involving law enforcement, public safety officials and other experts in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Aggressive Driving occurs when an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses that endangers other people or property. Aggressive driving behaviors include a variety of dangerous driving maneuvers: Speeding – Tailgating – Running red light – Failing to stop for stop signs – Improper passing  Weaving

Aggressive driving involved three highway deaths per day across Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. AAA Mid-Atlantic and other public safety organizations consider aggressive driving an epidemic in our region.