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Prince George?s County Logs the Most Maryland Motor Vehicle Accident Deaths in 2008

By Jack Lebowitz, Esq. and Vadim Mzhen, Esq.

The Maryland State Highway Administration says that of the 589 Maryland traffic deaths that occurred in 2008, 124 of those fatalities took place in Prince George?s County. That?s almost twice as many fatalities than in Baltimore County, ranked number two with the most traffic deaths at 52 fatalities. Montgomery County came next with 52 traffic deaths. Baltimore had 49 traffic fatalities, and Anne Arundel County recorded 48 traffic fatalities. Officials from Maryland, Prince George?s County, and municipal police have vowed to address the issue of traffic safety and determine why so many Maryland traffic deaths occur in this county so they can fix the problem.

The county also recently registered the largest amount of Maryland pedestrian deaths over the past decade. For example, of the 111 Maryland pedestrian deaths that occurred in 2007, a significant number of the fatalities occurred in Prince George?s County:

Prince George?s: 28 pedestrian fatalities
Baltimore: 17 pedestrian deaths
Baltimore County: 17 pedestrian fatalities
Montgomery: 15 pedestrian deaths
Anne Arundel: 8 pedestrian fatalities

There were 115 Maryland pedestrian deaths in 2008?and the fatalities keep coming in 2009. Just last month, in Prince George?s County, two young pedestrians, 19-year-old LaRenta Vondale McFarland and 7-year-old Richard Young, died after a Jeep hit them while they were crossing Central Avenue in Upper Marlboro.

According to Maryland Highway Administration spokesperson David Buck, driver error seems to be the leading cause of traffic deaths in Prince George?s County. Common types of driver error include:

? Driver fatigue
? Speeding
? Drunk driving
? Driving under the influence of drugs
? Failure to obey traffic rules
? Talking on cell phone
? Failure to use seat belts
? Text messaging

More 2008 Maryland Traffic Facts:

? About 100,000 Maryland motor vehicle crashes occur annually.
? 196 drivers died in Maryland auto accidents last year.
? 65 of these motorists were not using seat belts or were riding in cars that lacked airbags.

Too Deadly a Place to Drive, Washington Post, May 10, 2009

Maryland State Highway Administration

Related Web Resources:
Maryland Traffic Information, Federal Highway Administration

Prince George's County, Maryland

Our Prince George?s County car accident lawyers and pedestrian attorneys have helped many Maryland traffic victims recover financial recovery for their personal injuries. Contact Lebowitz & Mzhen today.

Full post as published by Maryland Accident Law Blog on May 11, 2009 (boomark / email).