After Rash of Pedestrian Deaths, Silver Spring Considers Solution

Crosswalks, crossing guards, speed limits, vigilant police, horns, traffic lights, stop signs, turn signals; the list of precautions to ensure pedestrians and drivers coexist is endless. But in Silver Spring, this list may have to be updated, or at least reviewed and questioned.

Since Jan. 22, four pedestrians and one cyclist have been killed in Silver Spring and Aspen Hill. Of the pedestrians, three died trying to cross the road, while the other stood on the sidewalk.

The rash of fatalities in such a small window has residents and representatives wondering aloud what, if anything, should be done.

Jazmine Jones maintained that drivers should take it upon themselves to be more considerate, as “90 percent of them (drive too fast).”

“A lot of pedestrians are too bold, too, but they follow the traffic lights,” Jones said. “People just drive too fast here.”

However, she was hesitant to propose upping police enforcement.

Shanda Stout, who moved to Silver Spring after growing up in the Midwest, said she immediately noticed a stark contrast between the driving habits of Silver Spring and those of her hometown.

“Compared to other parts of the country, drivers are worse here,” Stout said. “You should know to be careful—everyone’s a pedestrian sometimes.”

Robert Pleasure, who works in Downtown Silver Spring, said he hasn’t noticed many drivers who act recklessly or overly aggressively. But, he said, the government and police should always be attentive to troubling trends.

“If people are getting killed, it’s worth studying,” Pleasure said. “And I’m always in favor of more crossing guards.”