Fatalities again rise on Harford County highways; 31 dead in 2012

[RalR]

Considering that there were already 23 deaths in the previous eight months and two weeks – matching the total for all of 2011, the sudden respite might have been taken as a good omen. In fact, there were no highway deaths recorded in the county in October, and there hadn't been a fatality-free month in years.

Perhaps all the attendant publicity surrounding many of the earlier deaths was finally taking hold in the public conscious; perhaps law enforcement officials' mantra for drivers to slow down and pay better attention was having the desired effect.

The evening of Nov. 17 shattered any such illusions, however, when a smallish car, said to be favored by contemporary street racers, went out of control on a treacherous stretch of Route 624 near Broad Creek in the Street area. The 2008 Mazda3 went airborne and smashed into a tree. Maryland State Police who arrived at the scene said the impact severed the car in two and sent half of it into a ravine.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/...,4438864.story

[Spot72]

Such a disturbing story, let's hope policy makers implement legislation that works.

[demopublican]

Please inform all of your friends of the dangers and tell them to stay away. It is not safe for travel.

[bmore_ken]

Such a disturbing story, let's hope policy makers implement legislation that works.

I'm not sure what policy makers can do about people driving too fast, which appears to be the case in most of the accidents

[Jeebus]

I'm not sure what policy makers can do about people driving too fast, which appears to be the case in most of the accidents

Passing another law (despite an existing law) making driving fast even more illegal seems to be the knee jerk response.

[DGMcMAHON]

"Passing another law (despite an existing law) making driving fast even more illegal seems to be the knee jerk response."
Why do people think that "laws" will keep idiots safe ? I believe that "concentrated enforcement" in trouble areas would be better !

[RalR]

The Harford County Traffic Safety Task Force is preparing a report to the Harford County Council that addresses traffic safety issues in Harford County. At this time, the Task Force Membership is seeking public input as a part of that report. To follow are a series of questionnaires developed by the Maryland Highway Safety Office, each addressing a specific aspect of traffic safety or a traffic safety issue. To participate, please click on any one or any number of the questionnaires as you so choose and complete the survey(s).

http://www.harfordcountyhealth.com/?p=8479

[SailorJohn]

We not only need another law, we need to have speed cameras every 1/4 mile, and registration of cars, with classes for drivers, and then limit how many cars people can have - no one needs more than 1 .. then we need to limit the types of cars, because those that look fast are more dangerous than the Prius or that goofy looking little cracker box that holds 2 people. And if we raise the gas tax another dollar or so, we can cut people down from driving - and have them ride in busses

[bmorepunk]

I'm not sure what policy makers can do about people driving too fast, which appears to be the case in most of the accidents

If enforcement in Hartford is anything like it is here in the central corridor, I can see why people don't have much of an incentive to slow down. In the ten years I've lived here I'm amazed by the lack of enforcement unless the MTA Police are involved.

[Baltimatt]

If enforcement in Hartford is anything like it is here in the central corridor, I can see why people don't have much of an incentive to slow down. In the ten years I've lived here I'm amazed by the lack of enforcement unless the MTA Police are involved.

MTA Police?

Don't you mean MdTA Police?

[bmorepunk]

That is what I meant.

[ybnormal]

How about the government passing a Vehicle Control Law? Take vehicles out of the hands of everyone due to the irresponsibilty of a few. Yeah, that's the ticket.

Bottomline: You can't fix stupid.

[RavnFreek]

We should ban cars

[bmore_ken]

If enforcement in Hartford is anything like it is here in the central corridor, I can see why people don't have much of an incentive to slow down. In the ten years I've lived here I'm amazed by the lack of enforcement unless the MTA Police are involved.

There's a lot of road to cover in Harford County and a lot of it is still rural with small roads. I'm not even sure they have that kind of manpower to do so effectively

[Baltimatt]

Harford County doesn't have its own police force; law enforcement is provided by the Sheriff's Office. The towns do have their own police departments.

[bmore_ken]

I know matt. That's why I said manpower

[Baltimatt]

Ken--

Just pointing that out for those who don't know. Not too sure how many deputies there are.

[Spot72]

We should ban cars

Maybe a light rail route should be implemented.