August Traditionally Most Traveled and Deadliest of Summer Months
With most Marylanders and visitors in summer mode, it is a good time to remind drivers that there is no vacation from the basic rules of the road. Whether making the annual pilgrimage to the beach and mountains or daily treks to summer camp and work, the Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) and Maryland State Police are urging travelers to stay on guard in the driver’s seat, and make solid, safe choices when traveling roadways this summer.
“Our mission at the Maryland State Highway Administration is to keep travelers on the go and get them to their destinations and back home safely,” said State Highway Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “We’re asking for drivers to keep the summer safe by driving attentively and sober.”
According to the Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office, traffic crashes kill more people in August than in any other month. In August 2012, 50 people were killed in Maryland vehicle crashes. More than 90 percent of all fatal traffic crashes are preventable because they are caused by driver error.
“I want to stress to every driver in Maryland that distracted driving and aggressive driving increase a driver’s chance of being involved in a motor vehicle crash,” said John Kuo, Maryland’s Highway Safety Representative and the Administrator of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. “Everyone who operates a vehicle on our roadways has a responsibility to drive safely, to devote their full attention to the task of driving and to avoid engaging in risky driving behaviors that jeopardize the safety of everyone.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 660,000 drivers, at any given moment during the day, use a hand-held cell phone while operating their vehicle. In 2011, nearly 53,000 people in Maryland were involved in crashes as a result of distracted driving.
“Although the accident rate on the Bay Bridge is far lower than the statewide rate, drivers crossing the span need to slow down and focus on the road,” said Acting MDTA Executive Secretary Bruce Gartner. “When you’re crossing the Bay Bridge, it’s not the time to take photos, ‘check in’ on social media, and talk on the phone or text. Always stay alert and keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.”
The average number of crashes per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) is significantly lower on the Bay Bridge than it is on statewide roads (MDTA, SHA and local). From 2008 to 2011, the overall crash rate on statewide roads 166 crashes per 100 million VMT compared to 43 crashes per 100
