From the Maryland State Police, Bel Air Barrack:
(BEL AIR, MD) – As we approach the Memorial Day weekend Harford County law enforcement wants to remind citizens that law enforcement personnel will be implementing traffic safety initiatives throughout the entire weekend. Traffic Task Force partners will be supplemented by troopers from specialized units within the Department. In total, there will be a minimum of fifteen (15) law enforcement personnel in search of aggressive/distracted drivers; operators that elect to drive while drunk/drugged; motorists/passengers not restrained by safety belts and safety seat violations.
Harford County law enforcement continues to place heavy emphasis on improving traffic safety through partnerships and close analysis of crash data. We have learned that total comprehension of the cause of crashes is essential in maximizing resources and improving driving behavior.
So far, in 2012, there have been twelve (12) fatal motor vehicle crashes with fifteen (15) fatalities. Relevant statistical information involving these tragic events includes:
1. Six of the crashes were caused by failure of the operators to drive right of center
2. One crash was caused by failure of the operator to obey a traffic control device
3. One crash was caused by failure of the operator to obey a stop sign
4. Three crashes were caused by pedestrian error.
Additionally, two of the fatal crashes were possibly medically related and two of the crashes involved motorcycles. In one fatal crash there were three individuals killed and in another there were two fatalities.
We have learned other important facts by dissecting and analyzing data associated with 488 serious and less serious Harford County motor vehicle crashes investigated by the Maryland State Police.
1. 300 (61%) of the crashes were caused by male operators.
2. 187 (38%) of the crashes were caused by operators between the ages of 16 yoa and 26 yoa
3. 81 (17%) of the crashes were caused by operators failing to yield the right of way (this problem is increasing as operators take unnecessary risks during turning maneuvers on congested roadways).
4. 60 (12%) of the crashes were caused by operators failing to remain in their required lanes, e.g., failure to remain right of center.
5. 174 (36%) of the crashes occurred between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
6. 85 (17%) of the crashes occurred on Wednesday.
Also, by closely analyzing data we have documented the “High Crash” areas which are primarily concentrated on the State and U.S. Routes between Bel Air, Joppa, Edgewood, and Aberdeen.
Rest assured that the Maryland State Police and our partners (Aberdeen Police Department, Bel Air Police Department, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Havre De Grace Police Department) will continue to strive to reduce motor vehicle crashes and seek innovative methods to improve our enforcement strategies. Operation results, to include the identification of arrestees, will be posted next week.
One thing I do not see in t helist of causes is speed. Is taht because speed is not a major contributor to accidents? Are speeding tickets given out mostly for revenue generation since they are the most frequently distributed high fine ticket?
Someone’s salty about getting a ticket or two. Actually tickets in general are meant to correct driving behavior. In this county speed is a contributor in probably well over 50% of the accidents however the “Failure to control speed to avoid collision” citation isn’t written that often because history shows that the judges in this county do not recognize the police’s training in accident reconstruction and will only accept testimony from an actual “witness”. But I’m sure if the MAARS reports from all those accidents were reviewed the top contributing causes would be “too fast for conditions” and “failure to give due time and attention” because speed and distracted driving are the biggest problems. But what do I know, I just write tickets for fun.
Speed on lower capacity and poorly designed roads is an issue. Speed on highways designed to accommodate higher traffic speeds is not an issue. Your horse cart paths in this county cannot manage the traffic they are asked to handle at any speed. Revenue enhancement is a side affect of people who have little regard for the rights of others on the road. Please continue to dispense your tickets. Please do it responsibly – measuring devices require frequent calibration whether it is LIDAR or RADAR. So when someone asks you if you calibrated your equipment, please use a little introspection because clocking someone at 48 mph in a school zone and issuing a warning is absurd. And it was absurd because you had no idea how fast I was traveling because you didn’t know your LIDAR required calibration. And the answer for those of you that want to question my speed – it was no greater than 40mph. I admitted that. Suggesting that you have a greater grasp of honesty or technology than me is insulting. Speedometers are affected by tread depth and inflation pressures; and they require calibration over the life of the police cruiser. And yes, I calibrate my speedometer every time I see one of your little trailer toted RADARS on the side of the road. So if those are calibrated, my speedometer is 2 mph too high.
What was the point of this rant? Apparently you were stopped and feel you’re smarter then the cop for whatever reason. Well I know for a fact that in this county all RADAR and LIDAR units are calibrated yearly and that the operators of the RADAR units test their units at the beginning and end of their shifts to insure they are working properly. As far as pacing goes, that isn’t used often because MD law requires the pace to be for at least three tenths of a mile which most people won’t continue to speed for that distance with a police car behind them. Oh and yes I do have a greater grasp of honesty and this type of technology then you sir.
Perhaps you failed to comprehend what I said. I am honest. I never drive faster than 40 mph on that road. They had me doing 48 in a school zone. He said it wasn’t RADAR and and somehow felt my question about calibration was invalid. They gave me a warning. Does that make sense to you? Derive your conclusions from the observations I made at the time. Read anything further into it and you are simply expecting me to behave the way you expect either yourself, or other people, to behave.
There is no doubt. You were going 48 and the officer should have issued you a citation since the warning had no impact and you prefer to rant about the fact that you never go over 40. Everyone knows the last part of that is BS. Try a little honesty, people will repect you for it.
I am being honest – again. What part of he had no clue what he was doing do you not understand?
Don’t worry Dave, if I happen to stop you for speeding this weekend I’ll be sure to give you a ticket. If you have questions about equipment calibrations then the appropriate place to ask those questions is in court (not on the side of road and I do not have to and will not show you the reading on my RADAR unit…the only way you’ll be getting that close to looking inside my patrol car is if you’re in the back seat with cuffs on which I’m sure wouldn’t be necessary for you.) I’ll be happy to bring the calibration records for my RADAR unit like I do every other time I get summonsed into court for a traffic ticket.
Driving by a SMART trailer and checking your speedometer is NOT calibrating your speedometer.
You won’t catch me speeding. I always drive slower than the traffic ahead of me. Get over yourself.
Considering how every article on The Dagger about traffic enforcement you complain about getting a warning for speeding through a school zone I find that hard to believe, but if it’s true (other than the incident you keep complaining about) then I’m happy to hear it.
If it makes you feel any better, I would’ve given you ticket for doing 48 mph in a 25 mph zone (especially by a school.) Most of the officers I work with would as well.
That’s very true. For example, the speed indicators that the State Police and MDTA Police set up in the I95-I695 reconstruction area right before the speed cameras were calibrated to read about 10 to 12 mph slower than the traffic was actually moving, which probably caused many drivers to speed up just in time to have their pictures taken. How ethical of our finest to resort to this! (And no, I noticed the tactic and was never photographed over the limit, so this isn’t sour grapes – just disappointment in those we trust to serve and protect us.)
There are like 5 lanes on I-95, how on earth would I know that the speed popping up on those stupid signs is mine or not? I don’t think I’ve ever driven by one without at least 10 other cars in the area. Look at your speedometer to know how fast you’re going.
One of the questions we ask people before we hire them is if they speed. If they say no, we know they are lying to us.