Frederick Police Urge Vigilance Amid Rise in Pedestrian and Cyclist Crashes

The Frederick Police Department is urging all road users-pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers-to remain vigilant amid a rise in pedestrian-related vehicle crashes. While safety is a shared responsibility, drivers, as operators of heavy and sometimes large vehicles, have a special duty to ensure the safety of others. Everyone makes mistakes, but being defensive when you're on foot, behind the wheel, or on a bike, can help prevent a mistake from becoming a tragedy.

Master Police Officer Andrew Coady, a member of FPD's Crash Reconstruction Unit and Traffic Safety Team, stressed the importance of vigilance: "Every time we respond to a call about a pedestrian being struck, it's devastating, not just for the victim and their family but for the driver and witnesses, too. These tragedies often stem from small but preventable mistakes. A moment of inattention can change lives forever."

The City of Frederick has embraced Vision Zero, a commitment to eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries while fostering safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. Vision Zero prioritizes safety through strategies such as traffic calming measures, enhanced crosswalks, improved bike infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns.

In alignment with this vision, the City's Active Mobility Advisory Committee (AMAC) provides ongoing recommendations to enhance infrastructure and safety. Key initiatives include the installation of "green pavement treatment" bike lanes to improve cyclist visibility, enhanced signage for clearer navigation, and shared-use paths that encourage safe and respectful interactions among all road users.

Whether you walk, bike, or drive, your actions have an impact on the safety of those around you. Here's how to keep yourself and others safe, no matter how you're getting around:

When on foot

• Be Predictable: Always cross at designated crosswalks or intersections wherever possible. Entering traffic outside these areas puts everyone at risk.
• Make Eye Contact: Connect with drivers to ensure they see you crossing - you don't know if a driver has seen you, so don't take the chance.
• Stay Alert:
• Avoid distractions, particularly when crossing the street, to make sure you are aware of your surroundings. On two-lane roads, make sure oncoming traffic in both lanes has stopped for you.

When on a bike

• Be Predictable: Obey traffic laws, yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, use hand signals, and use shared-use paths and bike lanes where they're available.
• Be Seen: Equip your bike with lights and wear reflective gear, especially during low-visibility hours.
• Be Aware: Watch out for turning vehicles and make eye contact when negotiating right-of-way, particularly in parking lots. You can't control what others do, so be ready to respond to the unexpected.

When driving

• Slow Down: Follow speed limits and reduce speed near crosswalks or areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. At 23 miles per hour, 10% of crashes with a pedestrian will be fatal; at 32 mph, 25% are fatal.
• Yield to Pedestrians: Always stop for people in crosswalks, even if it means waiting a little longer. Be particularly careful at corners - many of this year's crashes occurred when a driver was making a turn without seeing someone crossing the street.
• Stay Focused: People - even other drivers - are unpredictable. Even a second or two checking a text might be too long to notice something.

The City of Frederick's efforts complement Maryland's 'Street Smart' initiative, a statewide campaign focused on reducing pedestrian and cyclist crashes. While these initiatives mark significant progress, true safety depends on the shared responsibility of all road users.

"Frederick's streets should be safe for everyone-whether you're walking to school, biking to work, or driving home to your family," said MPO Coady. "When we follow the rules and watch out for one another, we save lives."

For more safety tips and resources, visit the City of Frederick's Transportation Planning Page or the Maryland Department of Transportation's Pedestrian Safety Page. If you have traffic complaints or would like to report a safety concern, you can submit a tip on the City of Frederick's website at Traffic Complaints/Safety Concerns Form.

Together, we can make Frederick's streets safer for everyone and achieve the goals of Vision Zero.

For media inquiries please contact:
PIO Samantha Long- [email protected]

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