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August 8, 2008
.08 BAC LAWS SAVE MARYLAND LIVES
Learn More > NEWS RELEASE
Office of Communications
Phone: 410-545-0303 / 800-323-6742
MD Relay: 1-800-735-2258
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact(s): Lora Rakowski, 410-545-0303; Jeremy Gunderson, 410-787-4072
.08 BAC LAWS SAVE MARYLAND LIVES
Choose Safety for Life Campaign Urges Motorists to B-SAFE and Always Drive Sober!
08.08.08 – In the midst of the Choose Safety for Life Campaign’s 100 Days of Safety, 8-8-08 offers a unique opportunity to remind Marylanders that it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher Extensive research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration demonstrates that while the risk of being involved in a crash increases as a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) increases, the risk rises far more dramatically once a driver reaches or exceeds .08 BAC. In 2006, 199 individuals lost their lives to alcohol-related crashes on Maryland roads.
“Today’s 08.08.08 date is a useful reminder that our .08 law is helping to make our highways safer,” said Neil J. Pedersen, Maryland State Highway Administrator and Governor’s Highway Safety representative. “The .08 law and the dedicated efforts of our safety advocates and law enforcement are major tools in getting drunk drivers off of the road.”
Throughout August, NHTSA will be promoting its Stop Impaired Driving campaign with “Over the limit. Under Arrest.” messages during the month of August through television public service announcements and other outreach efforts. Maryland’s Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign, a combination of enforcement efforts and education about enforcement begins later this month.
With safety its number one priority, these efforts also contribute to the Maryland State Highway Administration’s partnership with the Choose Safety for Life campaign. This campaign provides one voice for drivers, motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and truckers. With 93 percent of traffic crashes occurring because someone made a wrong choice on Maryland roadways, virtually all traffic crash fatalities could be prevented if everyone practices these five key steps: B-SAFE – Buckle up, Slow down – speeding kills, Always drive sober, Focus, Everyone share the road. Learn more at choosesafetyforlife.com.
* Sources: Maryland State Highway Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and American Journal of Preventative Medicine.
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July 31, 2008
Drive Cam Pilot Study Seeks Volunteers in Southern Maryland Contacts:
Sandra Dobson, Lora Rakowski, Maryland State Highway Administration – (410)-545-0303 Jackie Beckman, St. Mary’s County CTSP Coordinator – (301) 475-4200 ext. 1850 or Jackie.Beckman@co.saint-marys.md.us Rebecca Martin, Charles County CTSP Coordinator – (301) 932-3056 or martinb@ccso.us Debbie Jennings, Calvert County CTSP Coordinator – (410) 535-2200 or jennindk@co.cal.md.us
SOUTHERN MARYLAND VOLUNTEER FAMILIES SOUGHT TO KEEP YOUNG DRIVERS SAFE
Call for 300 Volunteer Families with Teen Drivers for Innovative Research Project in Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties
(July 7, 2008) – Do teen drivers perform better with involved parents? A research project in Southern Maryland is testing the effectiveness of parental coaching of teen drivers, and 300 volunteers families are being sought in Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties. As part of the study, families with teen drivers in southern Maryland are being offered the free use of DriveCam for one year. Based on innovative technology that has enhanced the safety of business and corporate fleets around the world, DriveCam, Inc. offers in-vehicle video monitoring and coaching on driving for families.
With federal funding being provided through the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Highway Safety Office (MHSO), the first-of-its-kind study is an outgrowth of the state’s strategic highway safety plan and the commitment of Southern Maryland leaders to help shape young safe drivers. More than 120 people were killed in Maryland last year in young driver involved crashes. Interested parents and teens should make contact with the program coordinators; no-obligation informational meetings are available.
“Maryland’s goal is to build better drivers, and we’re expecting the data to provide the additional research needed to expand young driver education programs. Our goal is to prepare and improve the driving of our youngest and most vulnerable drivers,” stated Neil J. Pedersen, Administrator of the Maryland State Highway Administration and Governor’s Highway Safety Representative.
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Traffic study with DriveCam Page 2
How does the technology work? While the DriveCam is constantly recording, it only saves brief video clips of 10-20 seconds in length when certain “events” – such as sudden braking, swerving, acceleration or a collision occur. The teens are aware that the event is being saved, as a flashing light will signal. Saved events include interior and exterior views of the critical seconds before and after the erratic vehicle movement so parents and the teen driver can view what happened and why. Parents can access the password protected “event” video clip a day or two later on DriveCam Inc.’s website. The clip will provide analysis of the incident with professional coaching tips and comments attached. Typically, less than one percent of a teen’s driving is recorded by DriveCam. The study will determine whether this technology aids parents in determining when their teen has acquired the skills and level of maturity needed for independent driving during varying conditions, such as inclement weather, heavy commuter traffic or during evening and nighttime hours.
“The Drive-Cam program pilot is just one of many tools that we're exploring to make our youngest drivers our safest drivers,” said Wayne Clark, Executive Director of the Southern Maryland Tri-County Council. “DriveCam is a technology that opens a dialogue about safe driving between parents and their young drivers. The program has proven effective in changing core behavior and establishing sound practices and skills needed to be a safe driver.”
Parents in Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties should contact the CTSP Coordinator in their county for more information on how to enroll in the program. Interested parents and teens are encouraged to contact the project coordinators:
St. Mary’s County - Jackie Beckman, CTSP Coordinator – (301) 475-4200 ext. 1850 or Jackie.Beckman@co.saint-marys.md.us
Charles County - Rebecca Martin, CTSP Coordinator – (301) 932-3056 or martinb@ccso.us
Calvert County - Debbie Jennings, CTSP Coordinator – (410) 535-2200 or jennindk@co.cal.md.us .
The Southern Maryland DriveCam project is one component of the Maryland State Highway Administration's Choose Safety for Life, a campaign that provides one voice for drivers, motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and truckers. With 93 percent of traffic crashes occurring because someone made a wrong choice on Maryland roadways, virtually all traffic crash fatalities could be prevented if everyone practices these five key steps: B-SAFE – Buckle up, Slow down – speeding kills, Always drive sober, Focus, Everyone share the road. Learn more at choosesafetyforlife.com.
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July 9, 2008
Baltimore Kicks Off Smooth Operator Campaign FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact(s): Lora Rakowski, 410-545-0303
Jeremy Gunderson, 410-787-4072
Increased Summer Travel and Heat Fries Nerves of Drivers
Law Enforcement Agencies Launch Campaign to End Aggressive Driving
July 9, 2008 – As the summer months begin to heat up, more than 70 Maryland law enforcement agencies and all barracks of the Maryland State Police are attempting to cool down aggressive driving on area roads by raising public awareness through Smooth Operator, an education and enforcement campaign. In early June, law enforcement agencies from Maryland, in conjunction with agencies from Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey and the District of Columbia, began the first of four week-long waves of increased enforcement designed to curb aggressive driving behaviors. These behaviors, which include such offenses as speeding, tailgating, running red lights and stop signs, improper passing and other dangerous driving maneuvers, are intensified during the summer months when increased travel brings increased congestion and the substantial mid-Atlantic heat begins to fry nerves.
In a press conference today, officials, law enforcement and safety advocates convened to formally kick off the Smooth Operator campaign. Simultaneous to the Smooth Operator initiative Baltimore County has kicked off the crime-crash corridor project on six key routes, including: MD 26 (Liberty Road); US 40 (w) (Baltimore National Pike); MD 140 (Reisterstown Road);
MD 45 (York Road); MD 150 (Eastern Avenue) and US Route 1 (n) (Belair Road). SHA installed 48 signs along these routes alerting motorists to the “Smooth Operator Enforcement Zone,” and will assist in before and after studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign.
“By reaching out to young drivers through Smooth Operator, we hope to instill safe driving behaviors in a new generation of Maryland citizens,” said Neil Pedersen, Administrator of the Maryland State Highway Administration and Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “At one point or another, we’ve all exhibited aggressive driving behaviors. Now’s the time to stop, think and make the right choices on the road.”
The second wave of the Smooth Operator summer enforcement will take place from July 6-12. This year’s campaign is placing an additional focus on younger drivers, a group that statistically has been identified as major violators of traffic laws related to aggressive driving. Nationally, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for those between the ages of 15 to 20, and young drivers account for over half of all aggressive driving crashes in Maryland. Motorcyclists are also of extreme importance to this program, as many of these drivers tend to exhibit aggressive behavior; in fact, 26 percent of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had previous speeding convictions in 2006.
Since the inception of Smooth Operator in 1997, more than two million citations have been issued to aggressive drivers. Citations during the 2007 summer enforcement effort totaled more than 162,000 in Maryland alone, upwards of 385,000 were issued throughout the mid-Atlantic region – more than six times the 62,000 issued in the campaign’s first year. Besides keeping aggressive drivers off the road, the Smooth Operator campaign has also been successful in raising public awareness of aggressive driving behavior. In May 2000, public awareness of the campaign was 38 percent; however, as of September 2007, that figure has increased to 70 percent.
“The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration supports the efforts of law enforcement and highway safety officials in their efforts to keep our nation’s roads safe,” said James Ports, Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “As the Smooth Operator campaign continues to gain momentum an important message is being sent to aggressive drivers - stop speeding before it stops you.”
According to NHTSA, crashes caused by aggressive driving comprise one-third of all injury crashes and two-thirds of all highway fatalities. Damages resulting from these crashes cost the nation $44,193 each minute, totaling up to $40.4 billion every year.
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June 30, 2008
New Booster Seat Law (Effective June 30, 2008)
Learn More > Effective June 30, 2008, Maryland will adopt a new law to ensure the safety of children in motor vehicles. Under the new law, every child under 8 years old must be secured in a U.S. DOT approved child safety seat unless the child is 4 feet, 9 inches or taller, or weighs more than 65 pounds. Children and young people up to 16 years of age must be secured in seat belts or child safety seats, regardless of their seating positions.
In 2002, Delegate Bill Bronrott and Senator Forehand sponsored legislation, strongly backed by then-Delegate Anthony Brown, that made Maryland the first state in the Mid-Atlantic with a child booster seat law, but an amendment limited it to a half-strength requirement that only protects child passengers only until they turn age 6.
Passage of this year's legislation closes the gap and brings Maryland into line with every other state in the Mid-Atlantic that has since enacted a model child booster seat law covering children until they turn age 8.
June 26, 2008
Tipsy?Taxi! Campaign Launched for July 4th Holiday Media Contacts: Ragina C. Averella, AAA Mid-Atlantic, 443-465-5020
Valerie Burnette Edgar, MD State Highway Administration, 410-545-0303
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANTHONY G. BROWN JOINS SAFETY OFFICIALS TO KICK-OFF
4TH OF JULY TIPSY? TAXI! CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE DRUNK-DRIVING ON MARYLAND’S ROADS
Anti-Drunk Driving Program Has Provided More Than 700 Free Cab Rides
Since 2006 on Selected Holidays
TOWSON, MD (Thursday, June 26, 2008) – Maryland Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown, AAA Mid-Atlantic, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration and Yellow Cab announced the third Annual 4th of July Tipsy?Taxi! Campaign this morning at Baltimore’s Hard Rock Café. The joint project, which began in 2006, is designed to combat drunk driving, especially on holidays that are associated with excessive alcohol-consumption.
The initiative will begin on Thursday, July 3rd from 8:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m., and will continue on Friday, July 4th and Saturday, July 5th from 4:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m. The program will provide a free taxi ride to those at least 21 years old, who have been drinking at a restaurant or bar in Baltimore City.
Those wishing to utilize the service must call 1-877-963-TAXI and Yellow Cab will provide a safe and free ride (up to $50.00) home within the Baltimore metropolitan area. Balances exceeding $50.00 must be paid for by the occupant. Dwight Kines, General Manager of Yellow Cab stated, “We are pleased to be a part of the Tipsy?Taxi! Campaign once again. It is Yellow Cab’s way of helping keep our community safe, while providing a choice to those who have been drinking and keeping them off of the roads.”
“One of the simplest ways for a person to prevent tragedy on our roads is to refrain from driving drunk,” said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown. “There’s absolutely no excuse for it -- especially when there’s a free ride readily available.”
“Tragically, every year hundreds of Americans are killed on our nation’s roads, as we celebrate Independence Day. Many of these tragedies could have been prevented if people stopped to think before they made an irresponsible decision,” stated Ragina C. Averella, Public and Government Affairs Manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Despite all of the awareness and attention that is given to drunk and drugged driving, too many people still fail to understand the dangers associated with this reckless behavior and lives are being lost every day, as a result,” Averella added.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 659 traffic related fatalities over the 4th of July holiday in 2006. Of that number, 37 % involved a motorist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.
Tipsy?Taxi! has been very well-received and has provided more than 700 free cab rides on various holidays since the program’s inception. Last year, 103 free rides were provided over the Fourth of July holiday through the Tipsy?Taxi! Campaign.
Following this morning’s announcement, Public Safety Guides with the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Baltimore Inner Harbor Police and officials from the Maryland State Highway Administration and AAA Mid-Atlantic visited bars and restaurants in Downtown Baltimore, Federal Hill and Canton to distribute Tipsy?Taxi! information.
“Thanks to AAA and Yellow Cab for partnering with the O’Malley Administration to provide more options and prevent tragedies,” said State Highway Administrator Neil J. Pedersen, the Governor’s highway safety representative. “Many lives can be saved if people who choose to celebrate Independence Day with alcohol also Choose Safety for Life and call 1-877-963-TAXI instead of driving.”
“As we celebrate our nation’s independence, we are encouraging everyone to designate a sober driver before their parties begin and if you are celebrating in Baltimore, by all means take advantage of the Tipsy? Taxi! Program,” added Averella.
Those enjoying 4th of July festivities in a Baltimore bar or restaurant this weekend are encouraged to call 1-877-963-TAXI for a safe and free cab ride home.
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June 25, 2008
Tipsy? Taxi! Kick-Off @Hard Rock Cafe The Tipsy?Taxi! campaign, a partnership between the Maryland Department of Transportation, AAA Midatlantic and Yellow Cab, is one of many strategies underway to prevent would-be impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel after drinking.
The initiative will begin on Thursday, July 3rd from 8:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m., and will continue on Friday, July 4th and Saturday, July 5th from 4:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m. The program will provide a free taxi ride to those at least 21 years old, who have been drinking at a restaurant or bar in Baltimore City.
Those enjoying 4th of July festivities in a Baltimore bar or restaurant this weekend are encouraged to call 1-877-963-TAXI for a safe and free cab ride home.
Those wishing to utilize the service must call 1-877-963-TAXI and Yellow Cab will provide a safe and free ride (up to $50.00) home within the Baltimore metropolitan area. Balances exceeding $50.00 must be paid for by the occupant. June 13, 2008
We Want Your Opinion! - Maryland Driver Survey FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ellen Ternes
June 12, 2008 (301) 405-4627, eternes@umd.edu
Online Md. Traffic Safety Poll Ready for Public Input
Annual Survey Asks Marylanders About Driving Behavior, Safety Concerns
WHAT: Maryland drivers can take the free, annual online state survey about their driving safety, starting Monday, June 16. The Web-based anonymous survey, developed by the University of Maryland for the Maryland Department of Transportation, Highway Safety Office, lets Maryland drivers answer questions about their driving behavior and concerns about traffic safety in the state. The survey can be found at http://www.marylanddriversurvey.com , and takes only 10-15 minutes to complete. It will be available online until August 10th. Results will be analyzed and released to the public.
The survey results will help the local Community Traffic Safety Program (CTSP) coordinators define the needs and issues of their county. “These results along with other data, such as crashes, injuries and arrests, help the Maryland Highway Safety Office plan and monitor traffic safety programs that are designed to be specific to particular communities,” says survey designer Kenneth Beck, professor in the University of Maryland, College Park, School of Public Health. “The highway safety concerns for a large metropolitan community, such Montgomery or Prince George’s county, are likely to be different from a smaller or more rural communities, or even counties on the Eastern Shore.”
Last year, more than 4,100 people took the survey. Results included:
* 75 percent of respondents were concerned about speeding and aggressive driving in their community.
* More than 60 percent were concerned about other people who use cell phones while driving, yet almost 75 percent reported using a cell phone at least once when they drove in the last month.
When: Monday, June 16 - August 10, 2008
Media: Media can interview Professor Kenneth Beck, Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, 301-405-2527, kbeck1@umd.edu
Contact: To talk with Kenneth Beck, call Ellen Ternes, 301-405-4627, eternes@umd.edu . Dr. Beck will be available after 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 13.
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