TRAFFIC COLLISIONS, ARE YOU STAYING ALERT?

This second week of April has seen several motor vehicle collisions on Srt152 (Fallston and Mountain Road) at the intersections with other roadways. FVFAC volunteers have responded to five collisions since April 6th. Maryland State Police has been the primary police agency. We are taking this time to remind you of a few safety tips to decrease your risk on the roadway.

We also remind you of the importance of slowing down and moving over while passing emergency personnel operating on the scene of incidents. Please follow the directions of fire police or fire personnel when they are providing traffic control and direction during incidents. This law covers workers on roadways and tow truck drivers. When you see emergency vehicles responding, please pull to the right and stop to allow them the right of way.

Locations of incidents:

4/11 Mountain Rd/Reckord Rd
4/10 Fallston Rd/ Pleasantville Rd
4/9 Fallston Rd/Connolly Rd (1)
4/9 Fallston Rd/Connolly Rd (2)
4/6 Fallston Rd/Harford Rd

Risky driving information from NTSB: https://www.nhtsa.gov/ntsb-open-recommendations-nhtsa

DISTRACTED DRIVING:
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE:
Many substances can impair driving, including alcohol, some over-the-counter and prescription drugs, and illegal drugs

SPEEDING:
For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. In 2024, speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities.

Speed also affects your safety even when you are driving at the speed limit but too fast for road conditions, such as during bad weather, when a road is under repair, or in an area at night that isn’t well lit.

Speeding endangers not only the life of the speeder, but all of the people on the road around them, including law enforcement officers. It is a problem we all need to help solve.

FATIGUE:
Fatigue has costly effects on the safety, health, and quality of life of the American public. Whether fatigue is caused by sleep restriction due to a new baby waking every couple of hours, a late or long shift at work, hanging out late with friends, or a long and monotonous drive for the holidays – the negative outcomes can be the same. These include impaired cognition and performance, motor vehicle crashes, workplace accidents, and health consequences.