Driving is a privilege in Maryland, and it’s that many people take for granted. When drivers don’t take the act of driving seriously and focus on their duty to do so safely, they put themselves and everyone around them in danger.
A survey reported by the Maryland Department of Transportation found that 93% of respondents think unsafe driving is a major issue on the state’s roads. It’s critical for drivers to avoid these behaviors on all roads, especially those that are dubbed the deadliest in the state.
What roads are the deadliest in Maryland?
The deadliest road in the state is I-95, which has 19 fatalities and 17 crashes in 2020. That was followed by US-1, US-40, US-301, SR-295 and SR-5. Each of those roads had 10 or more fatalities that year.
Part of the reason these roads are so unsafe is that they’re heavily traveled and have higher speed limits. The probability of a serious injury or death is much higher at higher speeds. In fact, for every 10 miles per hour (mph) over 50 mph a vehicle is traveling, the risk of serious injury or death doubles.
What behaviors, besides speeding, contribute to these crashes?
Distracted driving is a huge issue in Maryland. It’s a factor in more than one-third of fatal crashes in the state. While cellphone usage is by far the most commonly cited distraction and the only citable distracted driving offense, many other distractions like changing radio stations or using GPS, can also distract drivers.
Impaired driving is another cause of fatal crashes in this state. More than 800 deaths in Maryland over a 5-year period could have been prevented if the driver had opted to avoid driving while impaired.
People who suffer injuries and those who lose a loved one in crashes caused by negligent drivers may choose to seek compensation for the financial damages they’ve incurred. Maryland laws limit how long they have to file these claims, which is just one of the reasons why working with a legal representative who can assist them is generally wise.
