BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. -- Baltimore County said it plans to increase the safety of pedestrians by ticketing the very people it's trying to protect.
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They've currently put a road initiative into place targeting both drivers and pedestrians.

"Watch out for pedestrians, and be careful at crosswalks and crossways," said Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson during the announcement.
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So far this year, the county has investigated eight fatal pedestrian accidents. Johnson said the county had 18 pedestrian fatalities last year.

"The pedestrian was at fault in 82 percent of these cases," he said.

Some who agree with the police initiative said they believe there need to be more crossing areas.

"In some cases, it's a mile from one traffic signal to another. People with baby carriages and groceries aren't going to walk a half-mile in one direction to one," said Sen. Delores Kelley, D-Baltimore County.
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B' Spokes: In the following article it looks like Anne Arundel County Police are going to get tough on motorists.

"Annapolis police Officer Eric Davis writes a citation for running through a stop sign. Davis, one of the biggest ticket writers in the department, said tickets make the roads safer and make motorists pay attention while driving."

But listen to what people are saying in the comments, again any wounder why we have one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates, it simply is a non-issue for police.]
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Crosswalks - 2010-05-11 13:33:13

Living in the City Dock area I don't see motorists stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks as being a problem. Traffic, low vehicle speeds, and the large number of people walking around seems to prevent a problem. I am however amazed at the number of people who just feel they can cross Main Street wherever they want to whenever the want to.

Once outside of City Dock there is a big problem with motorists not stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks. Less traffic, higher vehicle speeds, and longer crosswalks pose a problem. I routinely cross the Taylor Ave. crosswalk (Naval Stadium to DNR and Court bldgs) and it is surprising the number of motorists who will not stop to allow pedestrians to cross. Since I have 0 trust that a motorist will stop for me I never start walking onto the crosswalk assuming they'll stop. Instead I'll sit there as 5, 10, 15 cars sometime pass before someone allows me to cross.

And the next time I see an officer pull over someone blowing through a crosswalk at this location will be the first even though officers are routinely sitting at that intersection looking to turn onto Taylor. I can recall at least 10 times a motorist(s) has blown through a crosswalk with an officer sitting right there doing nothing. The most unbelievable occurrence was when two police cars were at the intersection and a car that was far down Taylor Ave. barely in sight when we started crossing actually sped up and and wheeled far into the other lane just to get around those of us halfway across the street. They did nothing about it. Guess it's not worth their time.

Jim Dandy - Annapolis, MD
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crosswalks - 2010-05-10 16:36:26

I couldn't agree with you more, I enjoy a nice walk around Annapolis. At times I feel I have a bulls-eye stamped on my back for motorists to run me over. I could retire with just the amount of money I could get writing tickets in the pedestrian walkway in front of the police station where people drive 40-45 in a 25 mph zone and slam on there brakes as I cross.

Kevin Gallimore - Annapolis , MD
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crosswalks - 2010-05-10 15:02:25

One area the Annapolis police enforcement gets an F grade is in pedestrian safety. Few motorists give the right of way to pedestrians. For example, try crossing the street at the crosswalk at city hall, or on West. st. at park place. On the other hand,at the Ann Arundel Community College, motorists give pedestrians the right of way near 100% - Annapolis city, perhaps 8%. If enforcement is an active program, eventually the habits of motorists will change as AACC has shown.

Demetrios Fotos - annapolis, MD
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What to do when you see red, blue in the rearview
By LISA BEISEL, Staff Writer

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County officers issued 15,368 tickets for moving violations in 2009. They also gave out more than 50,000 warnings. In the city, officers issued 7,686 tickets in 2009. So far this year, they've handed out more than 1,500.

During two separate ride-alongs with county and city police veterans, The Capital gathered tips on how to avoid getting pulled over - and what to do when you are.

It sounds cliched, but you can avoid a lot of headaches by simply paying attention and obeying the speed limit, traffic signs and lights.

Officer Eric Davis, a 16-year veteran of the Annapolis Police Department, said most of tickets he hands out are for simple traffic violations.

People don't pay attention when they're driving. A stop sign means all four wheels stop, he explains. Turn signals should be used whenever you're turning. Many mistakes like these go back to what you learned in driver's ed.
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Speeding accounts for about half of the tickets he issues. Most of the time, it seems like people are just in a hurry.
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RANDALLSTOWN, Md. (WJZ) ― In the past six years, Baltimore County has invested $4 million in making roads safer for pedestrians.

But, as Mary Bubala reports, now they need people to do their part.

One couple stepped out in front of cars, trying to cross four lanes of traffic on a busy Monday afternoon on Liberty Road. They ran quickly to avoid a car at one part. It's jaywalking and it's dangerous. County officials gathered not far away want to put an end to it.

"In Baltimore County, you are far more likely to die from a traffic accident than you are a victim of a homicide. While crime is down in Baltimore County, we have experienced a slight increase in pedestrian-related traffic fatalities in the past three years," said County Executive Jim Smith.

Baltimore County launched its pedestrian safety campaign in Randallstown, specifically at the Liberty Road corridor which sees a high number of traffic accidents each year involving pedestrians.

"Failure to cross at a signalized intersection--we see that along Liberty Road and frankly throughout the county each and every day when the crosswalk is but feet away," said Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson.

County statistics show pedestrians are often the ones causing the crashes by taking dangerous chances by crossing the street in the middle of it, instead of at crosswalks.

"Of our total fatal crashes in the county, the majority of these crashes are, in fact, pedestrian error. The pedestrian was at fault in 82% of these cases," Johnson said.

Police are now going to focus on enforcing basic traffic laws and ticket people failing to obey pedestrian control signals or failing to yield the right of way to a car when outside a crosswalk.
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[B' Spokes: I already covered the problem of drivers not yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks but let's look at some other problems. One is drivers that block crosswalks when they are stopped, two is drivers so focused on making a right on red they fail to notice pedestrians on their right and often do not stop before the crosswalk before proceeding. And lastly ped signals that lie that are purposely placed only roads that are hard for pedestrians to cross.

What do I mean by ped signals that lie? We have all seen this the traffic light is green in the direction we want to cross and the stupid ped signal has the big red hand showing. This is in plain and simple terms a lie, false information that any reasonable person would ignore. Imagine for a second that you go into a building and use the elevator that is all ready to enter but as you do so cops come and give you a ticket for failing to use the call button and waiting for the elevator that you called. Sounds incredibly stupid, right? Yet that is exactly what traffic engineers expect pedestrains to do, wait through a light cycle for the ped light that they called. Only cars get automatic signals and pedestrains are second class citizens that have to play the game of "Mother may I" before getting the OK to cross.

Again I will strongly assert that traffic laws have to be enforced across the board and on both sides to solve this problem. Focusing just on the victims of poorly designed streets and outrageous self-centered car behavior is... well just outrageous.

You might be interested in revisiting what the public put down for Obstacles for walking and biking, District 4, Baltimore County http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20100503092908107 .]

Towson, Md. (May 11, 2010) - The County Police Department held a press conference on Monday, May 10, at the Liberty Crossing Shopping Center. Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith and Police Chief Jim Johnson announced a stepped up initiative aimed at reducing the number of pedestrian related traffic crashes and fatalities in Baltimore County. The pedestrian safety campaign will focus on three key areas: Education, Enforcement and Engineering.

While crime is down, the County has experienced a slight increase in pedestrian related traffic crashes and fatalities over the past three years. The County recognizes that traffic crashes and fatalities are key public safety and quality of life issues that have far reaching affects. Executive Jim Smith said, "This is about keeping the streets of our communities safe for all our citizens." Police Chief Jim Johnson said, "Our ultimate goal is to educate citizens and save lives."
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[B' Spokes: Now don't get me wrong this is a great start but the order of the list just seems wrong and missing items.

Suggestions for Pedestrian-Friendly Driving, my suggestions:
* Stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk - it's the law.
* Drive the speed limit and sorry but driving 10mph above the speed limit is illegal and is harmful for pedestrians and cyclists.

Their list does not mention speeding and their wording for stopping for a person in a crosswalk is Byzantine, IMHO

Suggestions for Safe Pedestrian Crossing, this suggestion cracks me up:
* Always cross a street or road at a crosswalk or traffic light that has a crosswalk.

That's a good one from a county that takes pride in their lack of sidewalks, crosswalks and pedestrian signals.

Suggestions for Safe Bicycling
* Ride in designated bicycle lanes.

Right, like what all 5 miles of bike lanes if that many, get real, cyclists not riding in bike lanes when present cannot be a problem in Baltimore County. And cyclists be prepared to be hassled because you're not "riding in the bike lane" when there is not one in 10 miles in any direction.

It seems to me Baltimore County has tons of work to do on the engineering side, and might I suggest some (zebra) stripes in the crosswalks as it is now motorists think to outside crosswalk line is a stop bar and block the crosswalk.

On the enforcement side I hope they give out warning tickets for the first month with near the same number going to motorists and pedestrians. It's safer to cross mid-block (j-walk) if motorist will not stop for you in crosswalks and if motorist are accustomed to not yielding to frequent j-walkers then they have a hard time recognizing the need to yield to a someone in a crosswalk. All sides of the problem need to curtail what they are doing if we want to return to a civilized society that does not treat human being as road kill.

From Do Not Trash the Brand

I hate my car. Two catalytic converters just blew. Cost to replace: $1700.00

The only thing that I like about my car is the radio. As a transportation vehicle it stinks. When I was a kid, I loved the power, the ability to ride 200 miles in a day without blinking, or sleeping in the back seat when I couldn't afford a motel.

Those days are gone. My car is a ball and chain sitting in traffic on the inner loop of 695 at 3:00 pm in the afternoon sun. My first used car cost me $800. Today I can't buy one for less than $5000. If my income had gone up by the same amount, I won't be so depressed. I'd be rich. Not a slave to mosuburbia.

Things are not getting better. My disenchantment with the car is a nationwide plague and drivers are taking it out on bicycle drivers. Patriotic cowboys of the road. American's last symbol of independence and freedom. You can still buy a nice used bike for $75 and my Schwinn is still going after 25 years.

Many people consider buffalo and wolves a thing of the past. Who cares if they disappear off the face of earth? Fortunately, bikers are a tougher and more adaptive species, they will live on, and long after my rotten car is sitting in a heap of another overflowing junk pile on Rt. 40, two wheelers will be riding the freedom road to paradise.

Re: WJZ Pedestrian & Bike Accidents Rise In Baltimore Co.report

According to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) there are three Es of highway safety Engineering, Enforcement and Education. And in regards to the last two, this report is a miserable failure. I would hope at least during National Bike Month some attention to educating the general public about bicycle safety would have some priority. But when the police cannot even properly summarize the bicycle laws and imply that a vehicle that was rear ended was at fault via made up rules... well I am outraged as they are doing a great public disservice.

Do we say that a motorist that rear ends another motorist is not at fault because the other driver was not wearing a seat-belt (which is required by law)? Why then is a cyclists not wearing a helmet (which is not required by law) relieves the rear-ender of fault? How can the lack of a helmet cause an accident? There are better ways to say riding with a helmet is recommended then implying cyclists are at fault if they are not wearing one.

As far as the cyclist riding in the middle of the lane and the Baltimore County Police implying that it is illegal to do so  Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee issued a resolution to advise State Police on their policy of reporting bicycle fatalities which I quote in part:

2. If it is necessary to ride in the main roadway, the Maryland law that generally requires riding as far to the right as practicable does not apply if the lane is too narrow to accommodate both a cyclist and a motor vehicle passing the cyclists safely. Under such circumstances, the cyclist has the right to ride in the center of the travel lane and it is often a good practice to do so. ...

3. Public statements by law enforcement personnel about bicycle-motor Vehicle crashes while an investigation is still ongoing should be even-handed. If a public statement mentions a possible fault by the cyclist, it ought to mention possible fault by the motorist. Statements about laws that may have been violated should also mention the possibility that a statutory exception is applicable.

Even MDOT's bicycling safety video recommends riding in the middle of the lane when the lane is too narrow to share (which most lanes are.) You can find this on One Less Car's web site http://www.onelesscar.org/page.php?id=182 Which has a link to The Law Officer's Guide to Bicycle Safety as well as Maryland's Department of Transportation Competence & Confidence: A Bicycling Guide for Adults video (in 5 parts) and I will strongly recommend watching the Roadway Riding section.

Propagating false and misleading information with an anti-cycling bias during National Bike Month is unconscionable in my book. I am not trying to imply cyclists are angels but neither are motorists (ever heard of the problem of distracted driving?,) we are all human both good and bad. So far I have observed In locations where police are trained in bike laws the "at fault" statistic comes out to be nearly matched between cyclists and motorists. And there is an ever increasing evidence where the "at fault" statistic is skewed toward cyclists it is because of an anti-cycling bias and the police are making up rules as shown in this report. All we ask is to be treated fairly when it comes to enforcing the laws and when making public statements about cyclists.

Like it or not, bicycles are here to stay – deal with it

By Michael Dresser - Baltimore Sun

Michael Harris of Catonsville is a serious bicycle enthusiast, 56 years old, who races with an Annapolis team and trains on a 33-mile course in the Baltimore suburbs. After reading last week's column about bicyclist-motorist interactions, he sent me this account of a recent ride on semi-rural Landing Road in Howard County:

As I was approaching the intersection of Ilchester Road a group of young men in a 4-door Jeep came within 6 inches of my handlebars. One jerk yelled in my ear an obscenity as the vehicle passed by. I could hear the laughs as they came to a halt at the intersection.

As I found out later when I caught up to (another) group of racers, a few of them were abused in the same fashion as the car blew by. Are our driving schools, these kids' parents not educating the young about sharing the road?

udging by some of the reaction to last week's column, no. In fact, parents might be a big part of the problem. Many older motorists, it seems, have some quaint but somewhat delusional ideas about life, logic and the rules of the road. The young gentlemen in the Jeep could very well have cultivated their attitudes about bicyclists while sitting in the passenger seat of the family car.

Quite a few readers objected to the column's suggestion that motorists quit bellyaching and learn to give bicycles the 3-foot berth required by a newly passed bill. Several recounted anecdotes about occasions when they witnessed misconduct by bicyclists and attributed that behavior to everyone on a bike. Their conclusion: Bicyclists should be banished from roads that just happen to be near where these motorists live and drive.

Let us apply that reasoning to the circumstances encountered by Harris: Young men in a Jeep misbehaved on a country road. Therefore all Jeep drivers – no, make it all SUV drivers -- are hooligans. So let's ban all SUVs from country roads. Ridiculous? Absolutely. But many folks in cars seem perfectly willing to apply that tortured logic to bicyclists.
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Well at least that's what Sykesville feels while the No. 1 complaint received by Police Chief John Williams is motorists speeding on quiet streets. But with a force of only seven officers, he said, there is no way to enforce traffic laws with radar guns alone.

[B' Spokes: This article makes my blood boil, too many pedestrians and cyclists are "at fault" because the road was designed only for cars and dangerous for everyone else. Part two what's the point of having laws to protect cyclists rights to the road if police never learn them or even bother to read the law as they pertain to cyclists? After the fold is the email address of Baltimore County Police.]

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By Suzanne Collins

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ...
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Pedestrian accidents, especially fatal ones, are way up in Baltimore County.

They involve bicyclists, joggers, and people on foot.

From 2006 through 2008 an average of 15 people were killed [per year.] Last year that rose to 19.

In the first four months of this year already eight have died. If that rate continues, there could be 24 deaths before year's end.

"What we're finding is, of those accidents involving a pedestrian, that generally the pedestrian is at fault," said James Johnson, Chief Baltimore Co. Police.

The police report shows the truck driver in Tuesday's crash may not be at fault.

Police say the bicyclist wasn't wearing a helmet [as the law allows,] and they believe he was riding in the middle of the car lane [***as the law recommends.***] They also say the driver probably had a blind spot when he came over the hill [as if the hill makes the cyclists at fault.]

A group promoting bicycling says its riders observe traffic rules, but drivers need to know of a new law.

"Drivers need to know to give cyclists three feet when passing, which is a safe passing distance," said Carol Silldorff, One Car Less.

And if it's a narrow road, Silldorff still says drivers should be accountable.

"You wait, just like if you were passing a child," she said.

Because of the rising number of fatals, county police have been out giving warnings to pedestrians who violate traffic laws. They will kick off an education campaign soon.

"Certainly both the pedestrian and the motor vehicle operator have responsibility here. Obviously a pedestrian has responsibility to obey traffic laws not cross in areas that are dangerous," said Johnson.

In two bike fatalities so far this year and several serious injuries, they were riding outside the beltway mostly on rural roads without sidewalks.

The county also is working to engineer its roadways to accommodate both forms of transportation.

By RHONDA WARDLAW, For The Capital

The City of Annapolis is pleased to release its new bicycle map, which will guide cyclists in navigating Annapolis.

On the map, you will find local attractions, scenic routes, Maryland bike laws, how to take your bike on Annapolis buses, local bicycle tours and much, much more.
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