Road fatalities jump 7 percent in Maryland

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Road fatalities in Maryland increased 7 percent in 2017, reaching 557 deaths, while vehicle miles traveled grew 2 percent, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). In response, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), traffic safety advocates, law enforcement and health officials have issued a call-to-action to reduce the fatalities.

The call-to-action was made last week at the 2018 Maryland Highway Safety Summit. It is part of the five-year Maryland’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan aimed at reducing road fatalities 50 percent by 2030.

The plan tackles everything from simple solutions, such as seatbelt usage, to complex issues such as aggressive, distracted and impaired driving.

The plan’s motto is “take a stand and make a plan.”

“The force from a motor vehicle crash is capable of inflicting sudden, violent, and fatal trauma to the human body,” Maryland Chief Medical Examiner David Fowler said. “Half of motor vehicle crash victims have a substance in their bloodstream – alcohol, illicit drugs, and/or prescription drugs that can impair a driver’s ability to control a vehicle.”

Officials remind motorists to drive sober, buckle up, not use the phone while driving, slow down, move over for emergency vehicles and watch for pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists.

Officials also remind pedestrians and bicyclists to use crosswalks and bike lanes.