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.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/04/18/highway-safety-officials-urge-marylanders-to-share-the-road/

Funds requested per project cannot exceed $40,000 for trail construction and $30,000 for non-construction. Please note, for the FY15 solicitation, we will consider lifting the $40K cap for construction projects that score high with the criteria.

SusquehannaAnnouncement letter-Open House042814

BikeAAA has joined an East Coast Greenway Alliance called the Safe Crossing Susquehanna Coalition supporting the creation of a new bike/ped Susquehanna River crossing in conjunction with a new Amtrak bridge that is being planned. There is a public meeting Monday April 28th @ 5:00 open house at the Havre de Grace Activity Center, 351 Lewis Lane, Havre de Grace MD. This is where public comments will be gathered and the voices for a bicycle and pedestrian bridge can be heard.

Other organizations signed onto the coalition include the League of American Bicyclists, Bike Maryland, Washington Area Bicycle Association, Bikemore, and the September Eleventh National Memorial Trail at this time.

Bicycle crashes are scary, disorienting events. Nobody wants to think about being involved in a crash, but it's important to know what to do in case of emergency.

Photo by ThinkingStiff on Flickr.

Hopefully you will never have to experience this firsthand, but you may be able to help out your fellow bicyclists with your level-headed understanding of what to do.

At the scene

You've been in a crash. Now what?

• Try not to panic.
• Make sure you are safe to move or stay where you are and wait for paramedics. If there is any doubt, err on the side of caution.
• Call the police. Call 911. Make sure the police make a report. If you can't call, ask someone nearby to call for you. This step is imperative. Without a police report, there is no record of the incident. Even if you don't think there is any damage, do not skip this step.

• Get contact information for any witnesses. Do not assume the police are doing this for you as they take the report. Make sure you are able to get in touch later with anyone who saw what happened.
• Take photos of everything, including the vehicle involved, license plate, your bicycle, any property damage, the scene of the incident, etc.
• Collect the following information:
  • Driver's name
  • Driver's license number
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Make and model of car
  • License plate number
  • Insurance company
  • Date, time, and location of crash

  What if the driver flees the scene or doesn't stop? A driver who is involved in a crash and flees the scene has committed a serious legal offense. Try to get the vehicle license plate number and state where it was issued.

• Get home safely. Remember that backup plan? Now is the time to use it. Don't attempt to ride a damaged bicycle or ride if you're hurt.

After the Crash

You're off the road. You're home safe. What are the next steps?

• Seek medical attention.
• Write it down. While the crash is fresh in your memory, write down as many details about the event as possible.
• Pick up a copy of the police report.
• Take your bicycle to a shop for inspection and repair.
• Document all expenses from the crash. Keep a log of any and all expenses incurred due to the crash. Include life changes like taking the bus instead of riding your bike to work, damage to your clothes, personal property, bike, stuff in your backpack, time off work, etc. The WABA Crash Tracker App includes an expense tracker for this purpose. Use it.
• Complete the WABA Crash Tracker. We use this data to work on both infrastructure and law enforcement changes. Fill out the Crash Tracker form here.

Avoid crashes and problems by riding safely.

• Take a City Cycling class. Most bicycle crash incidents result from the bicyclist losing control of their bicycle, hitting debris or other hazards, or running into fixed objects, and not with motorists. Learn avoidance maneuvers, practice control drills, and gain skills needed to avoid dangerous situations at one of WABA's City Cycling Classes.
• Download the WABA Crash App. It's available for both iPhone and Android users.
• Consider your riding style, confidence level, and route. Are there adjustments or improvements you could make to decrease your risk of a crash?
• Follow the law. Following the law makes you more predictable. It is also important to your ability to recover damages suffered in a crash. Due to contributory negligence, a bicyclist can get stuck with 100% of his or her medical bills and damages from a crash if even only 1% at fault for the crash—and failure to follow the law is evidence of fault.

You weren't involved in the incident, but saw it happen? Here's what to do:

• Stay at the scene.
• Call 911.
• Give your name and contact information to those involved in the crash and let them know you are a witness.
• Offer to help take down the above information (or do it yourself) for the victim.

1. A digital map of the county showing who is responsible for clearing snow on all sidewalks in the county
2. A "major storm event" communications plan addressing a range of preparation efforts that residents need to understand, and including sidewalk snow removal, to be implemented in advance of major storm events
3. A targeted public education campaign for property owners to make them aware where they are responsible for clearing sidewalks from snow
4. Establishing pedestrian priority routes where additional education, enforcement and county services will be applied
5. A public education campaign to educate residents about how to request enforcement of sidewalk clearing rules, and enhanced process for residents to request enforcement by 311
6. Policies for keeping 311 in operation late during snow events
7. Increased enforcement for property owners who fail to clear their sidewalks
8. Plan for county-provided snow removal at bus-stops and around Metro stations
9. Plan for county-provided snow removal near schools
10. Plan for county-provided snow removal along state highways
11. Plan for county-provided snow removal along highest priority pedestrian routes
12. Plan for snow removal in urban districts, funded by urban districts
13. Pedestrian access requirements provided to snow removal contractors and performance assessment based on fulfilling the plan
14. Plan for clearing hiker biker trails on a prioritized basis
15. Plan for trash removal if snow cancels collection