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Maryland Dangerous State For Pedestrians

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Maryland has been named one of the worst states for pedestrian fatalities.

Kelly McPherson has more on what the city is doing about it.

A woman carrying a baby ran across Light Street, in between traffic.

"I feel like sometimes I don't have to follow the rules," said Ashley Kelly.

It's one example of how Maryland has become one of the worst places for pedestrian fatalities.  A new study shows there are two deaths for every 100,000 people.  Here in Maryland, D.C., Louisiana and Florida, the blame for the problem is shared.

"Especially with people paying more attention to cell phones and things like that," said Matt Satterfield.

"If somebody is in a crosswalk, even if they're crossing at a green light, they still have the right of way, and driving around, I see drivers not paying attention," said Rena.

The city has added some paddle signs to tell drivers to stop when someone is standing in the crosswalk.

The city runs Safety City to teach road safety to kids.  This year, 26 schools will have new walking signals.

"Countdown pedestrian signals, crosswalks, the contract is going to be putting flashing beacons to warn motorists when they're approaching intersections, especially where school kids are present," said Frank Murphy, Baltimore City operations.

Fewer kids are getting hit by cars in Maryland, down 42 percent from last year.

"We do try to catch the younger kids and I guess that's working, but the trick is sometimes educating the adults," Murphy said.

The city had a targeted enforcement for drivers in September and the Department of Transportation is looking for more federal funds to run that enforcement again.

The contract to install additional crosswalks and signals near schools should go out for bidding within a month.

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