OCEAN CITY – While there was no shortage of arrests made or citations issued during last week’s Endless Summer Cruisin event, it remained far tamer than the annual pop-up rally that typically arrives two weeks earlier but didn’t materialize this year.
Resort and state officials last Tuesday began implementing the special event zone in Ocean City and throughout the resort area in anticipation of the Endless Summer Cruisin event that has arrived each fall for decades. The fall Cruisin event features classic cars, special events and concerts within Ocean City and in other areas around the region.
The special event zone, similar to a highway construction zone, includes stiff penalties for traffic violations, reduced speed limits, altered traffic patterns, and an increased allied law enforcement presence in the resort. It was approved by the General Assembly a few years back, and while it had its genesis in the annual pop-car rally formerly known as H2Oi, it is implemented at different times during motorized special events including the spring and fall Cruisin events.
After the initial legislation was passed three years ago, town officials and their representatives in Annapolis went back to the General Assembly seeking approval of a bill that would add the charge of “exhibition driving” to the original legislation. Exhibition driving covers a variety of violations including burnouts and the spinning of wheels, and while it largely focused on the pop-up car rally, similar behavior is often exhibited during the Cruisin events, particularly the larger spring event.
It’s important to note most of the registered Cruisin event enthusiasts participate in the events sanctioned by the promoters including car shows at the Inlet lot and the convention center, along with drive-in movies, concerts and other amenities and are generally well behaved. However, as with most motorized special events, there is always a large group of hangers-on intent on just riding up and down Coastal Highway and committing many of the violations spelled out in the special event zone legislation.