Lt. Governor Miller and Transportation Officials Honor Victims of Crashes

Nigel Samaroo shares his personal experience of being involved in multiple bicycle crashes during his remarks. Pictured left to right: Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Roland L. Butler, Nigel Samaroo, Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, MDOT Assistant Secretary Tony Bridges.

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 17, 2024) - Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller was joined last night by state officials, transportation leaders, safety advocates and law enforcement officers for the 21st annual Maryland Remembers ceremony, an event honoring Marylanders who have lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes.

"Every life lost on our roads is a deeply personal tragedy, and this event allows us to honor those who are no longer with us," said Lt. Gov. Miller . "The pain their families endure is something we can't forget, and it drives us to work harder every day to make our roads safer. We all have a role to play in protecting one another, and together, we can ensure that no more lives are lost."

Maryland Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Tony Bridges, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer and Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Roland Butler joined Lt. Governor Miller in Annapolis.

Maryland Remembers honors all Marylanders who have tragically lost their lives in traffic crashes. In 2023, 621 individuals were killed on state roads, underscoring the critical need for increased safety and awareness. This solemn event serves as a reminder of the ongoing responsibility of all road users to put safety first and prevent further loss of life on Maryland's roadways. So far this year, there have been 537 fatalities.

"While we've seen encouraging improvements in the number of fatalities this year, we still have a long way to go," said Maryland Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Bridges. "Every life lost is a tragedy, and our work is far from over. We remain committed to making Maryland's roads safer for everyone, and we will continue working tirelessly until we reach zero fatalities."

"As drivers, we each carry the responsibility to protect ourselves and others on the road," said Motor Vehicle Administrator Nizer , who also serves as Governor Wes Moore's Highway Safety Representative. "Every decision we make behind the wheel has the potential to impact someone's life, and it's up to all of us to drive with care and caution to ensure safety for everyone."

The Motor Vehicle Administration's Highway Safety Office is providing overtime funding to local and state law enforcement agencies to enhance impaired driving enforcement throughout the holiday season. This funding aims to support additional patrols and checkpoints, helping to reduce alcohol-related crashes and promote safer roadways.

"Every time someone chooses to drive under the influence, they put countless lives at risk," said Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police, "The Maryland State Police , along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to protecting lives on Maryland's roads and will continue to work together to remove these dangerous drivers from our roads."

During last night's ceremony, Administrator Nizer presented Debbie Kirkpatrick Jennings with the annual Kevin Quinlan Award for her dedication to highway safety. Jennings' career spans 25 years, and she has been a leader in cannabis-impaired driver detection training and the statewide mock crash program. She also served on Governor Wes Moore's Work Zone Work Group. The award is named for the late Kevin Quinlan, a longtime traffic safety professional with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Learn more about the Motor Vehicle Administration's Highway Safety Office at ZeroDeathsMD.gov or on Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram at @ZeroDeathsMD.

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