Increasing pedestrian fatalities across DMV raise concerns

WHEATON, Md. ( DC News Now ) — Residents who live by Veirs Mill Road, also known as MD Route 586, in Montgomery County, are frustrated about drivers speeding, and the number of accidents on that highway.

“Cars shooting up Veirs Mill Road going 100 miles an hour sometimes… and the police do nothing, they’re not out here enforcing speed,” said resident David Myers.

Recently the City of Rockville reduced the speed on the highway from 40 mph to 35 mph, near Edmonston Drive and Twinbrook Parkway. This comes after an elderly woman was hit and killed last year .

In April, a man was arrested for a hit-and-run that killed a 27-year-old on Monterrey Drive and Veirs Mill Road.

“It’s very frustrating. My son and daughter have to try to cross the street there. I’ve tried to cross the street myself and gotten stuck in the middle of the intersection, or in the between the lanes for three to five minutes at a time, because the cars are moving so fast that you just don’t want to risk crossing the street,” said Myers.

Data from the Governor’s Highway Safety Association shows more than 7,300 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. last year, that’s a decrease compared to 2022.

In Maryland and D.C., the data shows there’s been an increase in pedestrian fatalities. Maryland’s pedestrian fatalities went from 137 in 2022 to 161 in 2023, that’s an 18% increase. D.C. went from 19 to 20 but has seen a steady increase since 2019, but Virginia saw a decrease from 171 to 133 pedestrian fatalities.

Myers says nearby communities can be models for change.

“I drive out to Potomac all the time. All the residents out there, they have crosswalks, they have flashing lights. They have all the safe things because those are the affluent neighborhoods but in the ordinary neighborhoods, they don’t care,” he said.

The GHSA report listed some safety suggestions to help reduce the amount of people killed while walking on the roads:

• Reducing car speeds and the number of lanes pedestrians have to cross.
• Better lighting to help drivers see pedestrians especially at night, when most pedestrian fatalities occur.
• Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIS) at intersections that allow pedestrians to walk, usually three to four seconds, before the car gets a green signal to turn left or right.
• Banning right turns on red lights.
• Having more sidewalks for pedestrians to walk on instead of in the roadway.

Some areas are already making changes. In Montgomery County, they passed the Safe Streets Act which prevents drivers from turning right on red at some busy intersections. In Prince George’s County, local advocates are pushing to increase speed camera fines along MD-210, and in Virginia, speed cameras were put in school zones.

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