Highway Safety Officials Urge Marylanders To Share The Road
By Christie Ileto, CBS Baltimore
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) — A new push to make roads safer for Marylanders, whether they’re driving, walking or biking. Highway safety officials are trying to stop a scary spike in pedestrian deaths.
Christie Ileto has the roadway warning.
It’s a battle between pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, and it’s playing out on Maryland roads.
“Pedestrian fatalities are on the rise in Maryland,” said Mike Sabol, MVA spokesperson.
The MVA says 1 out of 4 fatalities is a pedestrian fatality. Officials Friday are putting the warning out–police are beefing up patrols to make sure everyone shares the road as it gets warmer.
“We want the general public to be safe out on the roads and have drivers yielding to pedestrians and have pedestrians to see and be seen out on the road,” Sabol said.
And the penalties could cost you. Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians or pedestrians who jaywalk could face fines of up to $500.
[B' Spokes: But, but, jaywalking isn't illegal]
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Last month, a driver hit and nearly killed two cyclists in Anne Arundel County. Earlier this week, a Goucher student died after he was hit trying to cross Dulaney Valley Road in Towson.
And in the Towson Circle Friday evening, WJZ cameras caught cars refusing to stop while we crossed on the crosswalk.
Numbers from the MVA tell a grim story.
Last year, Baltimore County had 21 pedestrian fatalities. Baltimore City had 12, Anne Arundel County had seven and Howard County had four. They’re stats that officials say are too often and too many.
Police say law-breaking drivers can also face points on their licenses.
The Street Smart campaign officially launches in the Baltimore area next week.
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