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Medical examiner spokeswoman killed by MTA bus


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In the bus incident, police identified the victim as Cindy Feldstein, a secretary and public information officer for medical examiner David R. Fowler. Feldstein was in a crosswalk on Park Heights Avenue near Slade Avenue at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday when she was struck, police said. She was taken to Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore and pronounced dead.
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Hours later, Jason Cheslik, 29, was killed by a vehicle on Hazelwood Avenue, outside the Hazelwood Inn, while getting into his car about a mile from his home in Overlea. The vehicle that struck him sped away.
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Pedestrian killed along snowy highway in hit-run


from Getting There by Michael Dresser

The snowstorm contributed to at least one fatality overnight as a 77-year-old man walking along an Anne Arundel County road was struck and killed by an apparent hit-and-run driver.

Richard Francis Oles of Pasadena was killed about 2:36 a.m. Thursday when he was struck as he was walking along Mountain Road near the Brumwell's Flea Market, Anne Arundel County police said.

According to police, Oles was walking in the roadway because plowed snow prevented him from using the sidewalk or the shoulder. He was taken to Baltimore-Washington Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 a.m.

Police are seeking a vehicle described as possible a red Ford 350 pickup truck with a snow plow. The vehicle, which did not remain at the scene, was last seen traveling east on Mountain Road, police said.

The investigation is still under way. Police asked anyone with information about the crash to call 410-222-8573 0r 410-222-8610.

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Baltimore County Council lifts limit on school zone speed cameras


By Steve Schuster

The County Council on Monday voted to lift the limit on how many speed cameras can be deployed in school zones across the county.

By a 5-2 vote at its Feb. 7 meeting in Towson, the council approved a proposal by 1st District Councilman Tom Quirk to lift the current cap of 15 cameras countywide.

The bill takes effect Feb. 20.

“This (speed camera program) makes our streets safer,” said Quirk, who represents Catonsville and Arbutus. “If you are obeying the law and driving within the speed limit, this bill does not even affect you.

“Let’s slow down traffic and protect our kids,” he said.

Quirk initially introduced the bill at a council work session on Jan. 3, saying data from county police show people are slowing down in the 15 school zones where the cameras are located.
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Baltimore County passes pedestrian & bicycle legislation unanimously


If you are interested in what the bill says, what amendments were added, how the bicycle advocacy processes works, etc:

<a href="http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2011/02/baltimore-county-passes-pedestrian.html">http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2011/02/baltimore-county-passes-pedestrian.html</a>;

Seriously, click the link and have a glance through.
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County Bill 2-11 Work Session Update


From Bike Baltimore

Today, I was joined by Carol Silldorff of Bike Maryland and Charlie Murphy to testify in support of Baltimore County Council Bill 2-11 which will create the Baltimore County Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee.  This legislation was introduced by David Marks (District 5) and Tom Quirk (District 1) to “rebalance the signficance and role of streets and roads within the County’s communities so that they serve the needs of all transportation users.”

This bill also provides for:

  • restriping roads when being resurfaced or reconstructed
  • creating a citizen group to work with county agencies
  • adopt a complete streets policy
  • develop sustainable transportation protocols
  • prepare and maintain a 6-year pedestrian and bike program that coincides with the Capital Improvement Program
  • recommend amendments to the county code
  • develop a bike parking policy for county government buildings
  • incorporate new standards for road construction and reconstruction

This is a very legitimate plan, almost identica to what Baltimore City has undergone over the past 3 years.  Yet, some county council members are not convinced this is a good idea.  

If you live in the county, specifically the 4th, 6th and 7th Districts, please contact your council member and support Bill 2-11.  Not sure what district you live in?  Check it out here

Bill 2-11 is up for vote next Monday, February 7th

Like Charlie said, “This bill is not about us.  It’s about our kids and our grandkids”

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Catonsville committee gets 'Dancing Cop' new bicycle


"We don't usually do this type of activity for an individual, but Chris was really special," said Smith, who wrote a letter to the committee requesting donations. "We just really felt like we could really help Chris by making sure he gets reliable transportation, safe transportation."
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At work session, council debates bill to limit cap on speed cameras


[B' Spokes: If you live in Baltimore County you may want to contact your council person <a href="http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/countycouncil/index.html">http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/countycouncil/index.html</a>;
Baltimore County (5) pedestrian crash stats here: <a href="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20110126113548321">http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20110126113548321</a>; <a href="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20101101220408408">http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20101101220408408</a>; ]
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By Jay R. Thompson

The Baltimore County Council will vote next week on a bill that would eliminate a current limit on the number of school zones where speed cameras are allowed.

County code currently allows speed cameras in no more than 15 school zones, but 1st District Councilman Tom Quirk, who represents Catonsville and Arbutus, has introduced a bill to lift that restriction.

“The biggest difference with this bill is we’re just removing the limit,” Quirk told his fellow council members at the council’s Feb. 1 work session.

Seventh District Councilman and Chairman John Olszewski said the bill was “something I’m very supportive of.”

A few members of the public offered input on the subject, but some continued the debate about whether or not the county should have speed cameras at all.
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Balto County Police: Speed Camera Citations Drop, Accident Numbers Remain Constant


The Perry Hall Patch has an article about the police 5 month study on the effectiveness of speed cameras. Conclusion is they are very affective at reducing speed in school zones but also shows no decrease in accidents. Councilman Todd Huff of Timonium is still against the cameras.

Personally I see this as good news as slower speeds will help encourage more kids to bike or walk to school and hopefully put a dent in the obesity epidemic. The fact that when the speed cameras first went up there was a huge number of violations shows that we have a huge problem with scoff-law motorists and that needs to be curtailed. Every road cannot be a supper fast expressway, speeds need to be prudent for the conditions and for the safety of other road users as well. Remember the chance of a pedestrian dying in car crash goes up dramatically between 25mph and 45mph, and at 45mph to odds of a pedestrian surviving are not good.

And I would like to point out 2009 crash stats, Baltimore County had 21 pedestrian deaths while the much larger Montgomery County had only 9 pedestrian deaths, something needs to be done to make Baltimore County pedestrian friendly. Reference: 2009 Pedestrian Fatality Rate by County <a href="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20110126113548321">http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20110126113548321</a>;

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Balto. Co. issues speed camera report


from Maryland Politics by Andy Rosen

Baltimore County officials released a report today evaluating its 6-month-old speed camera program.

Speed cameras are in place in 15 school zones throughout the county. The first two sites were activated last March; all 15 cameras were in place by June.

A few highlights:

• The county issued 16,342 violations in July -- the first month that all cameras were in operation – a five-fold increase from the previous months.
• More than 3,000 potential violations were rejected throughout the year due to technical problems.
• Overall, the number of violations tends to decrease during the first several weeks after the camera is activated, although the overall level varies substantially among sites.
• There’s been an almost 52 percent decrease in the number of citations issued since August.
• Data involving car crashes is inconclusive. Six of the 15 locations had more traffic accidents within a one-fourth mile radius last year compared to previous years; eight had fewer. One had the same amount. Camera locations averaged 31 accidents per site before and after they were activated.
• Requests for additional cameras have come from Stoneleigh and Baltimore Highlands elementary schools, and Deer Park Middle School.
• 53,000 citations have been issued and 35,427 have been collected, generating $1.4 million. Contract costs have totaled about $1.1 million.
• Revenues go to a restricted account in the police department budget that can only be used for the actual program costs. Any additional funds may only be used for public safety projects such as technology/equipment enhancements, capital needs, staffing and matching funds.
• Additional staff will be needed for the program if it is expanded. The council is currently considering a bill that would lift the cap on the number of speed cameras.

The report, made public today, is dated Jan. 21.

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