Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530
Lucille Baur, 240-773-5030
For Immediate Release: December 18, 2001

Duncan And Moose Renew Their Call For Pedestrian Safety:
Pedestrian Fatality Statistics Released

On the heels of back-to-back pedestrian fatalities, Montgomery County officials today renewed their call for pedestrians and motorists alike to 'Drive With Care' and 'Walk With Caution,' particularly during this holiday season. Officials also released statistics which showed, that pedestrian fatalities had dropped by 35 percent so far compared to the previous year. Although officials applauded the progress made, they noted were needed more needed to be done and urged residents to be especially careful driving during daylight savings time.

"We're making progress in this important public safety initiative, but the events of the last few weeks reminds us there is still more that needs to be done," said Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan.

Last year, there were 17 pedestrian fatalities, and so far this year there have been 11. The circumstances surrounding three of those pedestrian deaths were very unusual. One involved a drunk person on a child's pedal car who ended up in Route 29 traffic, and another incident involved a woman who apparently jumped out of her car on the Beltway and was then fatally struck. When her husband stopped their car on the Beltway to get out and help, he too was struck while walking toward his wife. On November 26, a woman was struck and killed while she was crossing Hungerford Drive. On December 14, an 81 year old woman was crossing Westlake Drive at Democracy Boulevard when she was struck.

"This is the time of year when we typically see pedestrian-related traffic incidents increasing because it is dark during both the morning and evening rush hour commutes, and there is a big increase in holiday-related activity," said Montgomery County Police Chief Charles A. Moose. "We all need to do our part - slow down, use our seatbelts, watch for pedestrians, cross streets cautiously, stop at red lights, always drive sober, and get our child safety seats inspected - to reduce preventable tragedies."

County officials also released information about the red light camera enforcement program. Since 1998 when the first cameras were installed, through December 10, 76,541 tickets have been issued. Drivers caught by the cameras are assessed a $75 fine through the mail. Only two percent of the people receiving a red light camera ticket ask for a court date. Of those requesting a court date, only 45 people have been found not guilty of running a red light - usually because either they had a medical emergency or were getting out of the way of a medical emergency.

"The substantial drop in pedestrian deaths is a very positive sign that we are making progress. But one year does not make for a trend. And making Montgomery County the kind of safe and walkable community that we all want is a marathon race, not a short sprint," said Delegate Bill Bronrott (D-District 16, Bethesda), chair of the County's Blue Ribbon Panel on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. "Because it is getting darker earlier, it is especially important that everyone --- motorists and pedestrians alike --- take extra precautions to 'Drive Smart and Walk Smart'."

In November, Police expanded pedestrian and traffic safety enforcement and education activities thanks to a $40,000 grant from the Maryland State Highway Administration that pays for officer overtime salaries. One week a month, specific roadways and intersections are targeted for strict enforcement of vehicle laws and education of pedestrians. Police have already conducted special enforcement activities include Rockville Pike, Georgia Avenue, Colesville Road, and Middlebrook Road. During the November 26 through 30 enforcement action, Police had 783 contacts with citizens that resulted in 111 citations for speeding, 48 for other traffic violations, and 614 warning tickets to pedestrians.

In June 2000, Duncan established the Montgomery County Blue Ribbon Panel on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety to identify key pedestrian and traffic safety problems and propose a set of short-term and long-term actions to address these concerns. Based on the Panel's interim recommendations issued in January, Duncan included $1.2 million in his FY02 budget to expand pedestrian safety efforts by increasing the photo red light enforcement program and adding 15 additional cameras, rotated among 20 additional camera sites; adding a new pedestrian/bicycle safety coordinator; adding traffic analysis staff to assess critical accident data and develop a prevention program; and allocating $50,000 for a comprehensive public education campaign to reduce pedestrian injuries and deaths. The Panel will release its final recommendations in January.

"We appreciate the efforts of Montgomery County and are looking forward to the Blue Ribbon Panel's recommendations," said Rockville Mayor Larry Giammo. "Rockville recently announced its own pedestrian safety measures following a spate of accidents, including one in which an 88-year-old woman was killed attempting to cross Rockville Pike at Beall Avenue. We are trying to create a community where people will feel comfortable walking to Metro, shops and restaurants. We look forward to working with both the county and the state to address pedestrian safety issues along heavily-traveled roads in Rockville."