New Md. Law Will Change Traffic Ticket Process

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A new Maryland law will eliminate the automatic assigning of a trial date for drivers who get ticketed.

Beginning Jan. 1, drivers who want to contest a ticket will need to request a trial date within 30 days of the ticket. Otherwise, drivers can pay the fine or request a waiver hearing.

Supporters of the new law say it will increase efficiency in courts and police departments. The law was changed, in part, to reduce the amount of time police officers spend waiting for trials that don't take place because the driver opted to pay the ticket instead.

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