Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Using red light and speed cameras, targeted stings and other methods, police departments and municipalities hope to prevent pedestrian-related accidents, after a number of fatalities.
Pedestrian-related accidents have seen an unfortunate increase recently, particularly in Montgomery County. There have been 14 pedestrian accidents just this year, five of which resulted in fatalities. There was even one incident in Bethesda where a car struck an infant in a stroller being pushed across a crosswalk. “We, the parents of students attending Bethesda Elementary School, are horrified by the number of traffic accidents and near-accidents in and around downtown Bethesda,” said an online petition launched by Bethesda elementary school parents. “The safety of this walkable haven is at risk.” While there haven’t been as many pedestrian-related deaths in Prince George’s County this year, College Park officials recognize that …
How many traffic cameras are there in towns with fatal accidents in the last three years?
Since 2011, 24 pedestrians have died in an accident with a car. Where are these accidents happening, and how many traffic cameras are in place in those towns?
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Will Montgomery County police stings improve pedestrian safety?
Montgomery County residents took to the Montgomery County Police Department Facebook page to express their opinions about pedestrian enforcement stings that began Wednesday. From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, county police issued 72 citations for pedestrian safety infractions at the intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Turkey Branch Parkway in Aspen Hill, police said in a news release posted on the Facebook page. Lesli King Brown posted her wish for constant enforcement: "If only there was enough police enforcement available to to it all over the county all the time." The enforcement should go both ways, posted Wayne Lim of Silver Spring: "OK, all that sounded good. However how many pedestrians were ticketed for jay walking or running …
In the first two of a series of "pedestrian stings," 128 drivers were ticketed for not yielding to pedestrians in Aspen Hill and Bethesda.
Pedestrians in bright yellow t-shirts had about a 30 percent chance of crossing Democracy Boulevard in Bethesda Thursday without a close call from a passing car, according to Jimmy Chen, an intern with Montgomery County police. Chen was one of several plainclothes members of the department attempting to cross the street in a pedestrian "sting." Members of the department's traffic division are working to respond to an increase in complaints that drivers in some high-traffic areas aren't properly yielding to pedestrians, said Capt. Thomas Didone, head of the division. Over the next few days, uniformed officers will stand by and watch for drivers that blow past marked intersections with waiting or crossing pedestrians in key areas, like …
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Montgomery County police say drivers aren't yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks.
A cluster of Montgomery County police officers will give their traditional blue uniforms a rest this month, donning plainclothes to conduct a series of "pedestrian stings" at high-traffic intersections and ticket drivers who refuse to yield, said Capt. Thomas Didone, director of the traffic division. This year, police have received complaints that drivers aren't properly yielding to pedestrians at certain intersections. Moreover, investigators are finding that more pedestrian incidents have been the driver's fault. Officers would typically attempt to enforce that kind of law by driving around a high-traffic area and looking for drivers not following the rules, said Didone. That's not very efficient, he said. Instead, police will pose as…
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
“We're seeing many, many more instances where pedestrians are not aware of their surroundings. That’s just an evolution of the issue with cell phones—they're taking over more and more of our attention,” said Montgomery County police's head of traffic.
Distracted pedestrians and drivers, listen up. Montgomery County police want you to put down the cell phone, take the earbuds out and pay attention—or else. As part of the regional Street Smart campaign, over the next two weeks police will be stepping up the enforcement of pedestrian safety in targeted areas throughout the county, including Silver Spring, Wheaton, Bethesda, Rockville and Germantown. Pedestrians and drivers may be ticketed for offenses that could include crossing against the light or drivers who don't yield to pedestrians. "What we're saying is everyone has a responsibility when it comes to pedestrian safety to look out for each other," said Capt. Thomas Didone, head of Montgomery County police’s traffic division. "…
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Montgomery County looks to promote pedestrian safety.
Pedestrian safety has been a big issue in Montgomery County lately, with more than a dozen incidents involving pedestrians or bikes so far this year, Silver Spring Patch reported. Montgomery County promoted on Facebook its participation this month in the pedestrian StreetSmart campaign. For the last 13 years, StreetSmart has served as an annual public education, awareness and behavioral change campaign in the Washington, DC, suburban Maryland and northern Virginia areas. The campaign looks to change both driver and passenger behavior with the goal of reducing pedestrian and bicyclist deaths and injuries. The campaign combines public service advertising with stepped-up enforcement activities to increase safety.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
The incident occurred around 1:34 p.m. on Thursday, April 4.
An adult male was taken to a local hospital as a precaution Thursday afternoon after he was hit by a car near Colesville Road and Wayne Avenue in downtown Silver Spring, according to Beth Anne Nesselt, public information officer for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue. The victim sustained minor injuries. Rescue workers were dispatched around 1:34 p.m., Nesselt said. See Patch's interactive map of pedestrian incidents in Montgomery County this year. Since January 2013, Patch.com websites have reported 15 pedestrians and one bicyclist hit by vehicles. (Tip: Click the screen to move the map.)
Monday, April 1, 2013
The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries, The Washington Post reported.
The driver of a dark-colored truck that hit a pedestrian Saturday morning at Piney Branch Road and Arliss Street in the Long Branch neighborhood of Silver Spring did not stay on the scene, according to a report from The Washington Post. Montgomery County police responded around 8:15 a.m. March 30. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries, The Post reported.
38.99843
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Piney Branch Rd & Arliss St, Silver Spring, MD
/articles/report-pedestrian-hit-and-run-in-long-branch-area-of-silver-spring
/locations/9149264
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Forest Glen Road at Linden Lane will close for about a month beginning April 1.
A new path for pedestrians and cyclists along the CSX railroad crossing in Silver Spring near the intersection of Forest Glen Road and Linden Lane will be constructed next month, a news release from Montgomery County government confirmed. "Montgomery County requested the repairs because of the very poor condition of the roadway, and the reconstruction is too extensive to be completed without closing the road," the statement reads. "Funding for the project comes from state and federal monies designated for railroad grade crossing safety." Beginning April 1, a part of the streets will close to drivers for 30 to 45 days, the release said. Signs will alert drivers to the closing and detours. Once complete, pedestrians and cyclists will not …
39.01472
-77.05595
Linden Ln & Forest Glen Rd, Silver Spring, MD
/articles/silver-spring-road-to-close-at-csx-railroad-crossing
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Costco Gas Man
2:25 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
According to the Md. DMV pedestrians are at fault 70% of the time. more ›