New State Police Initiative Works To Keep Drivers Safe On Md. Roads
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The goal to have zero deaths on Maryland's highways is getting a strong push by state police.
Tim Williams has more on the new initiative aimed at keeping drivers alive.
Fatal accidents are a tragic but familiar scene on Maryland roadways. Now Maryland State Police are setting out to reduce their frequency. It's called the Toward Zero Deaths Initiative.
"Commanders representing each county of the state review maps where computer plotting has taken place to identify high-crash areas in the state of Maryland," said Maryland State Police Sgt. Marc Black.
Programs will then be implemented to address that area's specific concern. Speeding and DUI are among the top problems. The ultimate goal is to reduce the number of traffic deaths by half throughout the next 20 years. State Police spokesman Marc Black says it's an ambitious program that saves more than lives.
"Every life that is lost in a fatal accident is the loss of a loved one, a family member, a neighbor, mother, father, sister, brother. These are people that had dreams," Black said.
One such tragedy was the July death of 17-year-old Alec Cosgarea. The competitive swimmer's car hit a tree along Greenspring Avenue. He died at Shock Trauma. Police say speed was a factor.
This program joins forces of local law enforcement, Maryland State Police and the Motor Vehicle Administration.
"Through visibility, education and enforcement, we are saving lives on the highways," Black said.
Maryland joins other states that have adopted the program. Minnesota, Utah and Oregon are among them.
