Fewest Traffic Deaths in Maryland in 66 Years

             Last year, 442 people died in accidents on Maryland roadways.  That number is a huge improvement from the record number of 872 deaths reported in 1968.  The number of deaths in 2014 is lower by 24 deaths compared to 2013.

            The significant increase in driver distractions (i.e. talking on cell phones and texting), while still causing accidents, are not at the extreme levels seen in previous years.  Maryland Transportation Authority officials also announced that traffic fatalities linked to drunk driving decreased by 19 between 2013 and 2014 to a total of 133 deaths.  However, one statistic is still startling: someone is killed every 66 hours in Maryland because of impaired driving.

            The state of Maryland still continues to work toward achieving its goal of zero traffic deaths, and although 442 deaths is still a long way from zero, tremendous progress continues to be made.  Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn is pleased with the improvement being made, “especially when you consider the millions more cars we have on the road today.”  Rahn credits emergency responders and stricter laws against drunk driving and aggressive driving for the decline in deaths.  Transportation officials will continue to focus on the “four E’s” of highway safety: engineering, enforcement, education, and emergency response. 

One area of improvement is seat belt usage.  While laws have been in place requiring seat belts to be worn in cars for several years, 8 percent of Maryland drivers do not abide by the law.  In 2014, 37.5 percent of the deaths involved drivers or passengers not wearing seatbelts.

Some other interesting statistics from the 2014 data show that a majority of the traffic deaths occurred in Prince George’s County and Baltimore County, while the fewest occurred in Howard and Carroll Counties.  Also included in the total fatalities number is 100 pedestrian deaths and 66 motorcycle accident deaths (the only major statistic to increase from 2013).

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car, truck, or bus accident or has died as a result of their injury suffered in a Maryland crash, and would like more information, please call us at (301) 854-9000 for a free case evaluation or visit us online at: http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Car-Accidents/Fatal-Car-Accidents.shtml  

Potholes Popping Up All Over Maryland and Vehicles Sustain Damage

          Just as warmer weather has made its way into Maryland and the bitter cold winter temperatures retreat, drivers will have to combat potholes on the roads.  The prolonged extreme cold temperatures that froze the state during February combined with excessive amounts of snow and ice are to blame for a bad pothole season.  Several water pipes have burst throughout Baltimore City leading to potholes as well.  The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is “bracing for the worst,” expecting to find many potholes on Maryland’s roads.

            The SHA explained that potholes form “when water seeps into cracks in roads, then freezes and expands, pushing pavement upward.”  Vehicles driving over expanding pavement chips away parts of the road and when combined with plows running over them and the corrosive effects of salt brine used on roadways, potholes appear.

            In the first 9 days of March, AAA received 2,800 tire-related calls for roadside assistance, a significant increase from February.  The increased number of potholes on Maryland roads is likely to blame for the tire damage.  Officials are having a difficult time keeping up with repairing the potholes because of the large number across the state.  The SHA has a goal “to respond to potholes within two days.”  City residents can call 3-1-1 to report potholes to officials.  The City has already repaired 25,000 potholes this year and thousands more will be filled in the coming weeks.

            Driving over potholes can cause severe damage to your car, truck, or motorcycle.  Alignments can be thrown off, tires can be damaged, and rims can be bent.  Sometimes, structural damage to the vehicle can result.  Potholes are especially dangerous for motorcyclists because they can be thrown off their bike and severely injured.  Accidents can also result if a driver is trying to avoid a pothole and crashes into another vehicle.  Another possibility is that the pothole could cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and get into an accident.

Cities and counties are expected to keep their roads safe.  When they fail to do that and their negligence leads to a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, victims may have a legal claim to seek compensation for injuries, losses, and damages.  It is important that if you are involved in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident that you hire an experienced attorney who can uncover all liable parties and fight for full compensation.

If you or a family member has been injured or killed in a Maryland automobile accident, truck, bus or motorcycle accident, and would like a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on car accidents please feel free to contact our office at (301) 854-9000 or visit us on the web at: http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Motorcycle-Accidents.shtml