Fatalities Increased On Maryland Roadways During Pandemic

MARYLAND — Maryland suffered 568 deaths on the road with fewer miles driven in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, compared to 534 such deaths in 2019. Fatalities were up six percent and crashes increased nine percent in 2020, according to data from the Maryland Safety Highway Safety Office.

In Montgomery County, for example, fatal crashes increased 22 percent from 32 in 2019 to 39 fatal crashes resulting in 41 fatalities in 2020 as law enforcement nationwide noted an increase in speeding, impaired and unbuckled drivers during the pandemic.

Less-traveled roads did not necessarily translate into a corresponding drop in the number of deaths or an improved traffic safety culture in Maryland, where motor vehicle fatalities were up 12 percent compared to 2019 and such deaths were up 17 percent when compared to 2018, according to preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council.

“Sadly, some drivers saw empty lanes and open roads resulting from the pandemic lockdowns as an invitation to behave irresponsibly and dangerously behind the wheel,” Ragina C. Ali, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s manager of public and government affairs, said in a statement. “Far too many drivers engaged in speeding, aggressive and reckless driving, drinking alcohol and not buckling up, putting themselves and others in danger.”

For 2020, lower traffic counts meant Baltimore saw a 68 percent decline, according to the Inrix 2020 Global Traffic Scorecard. Traffic volume dipped 52 percent in Frederick, 14 percent in Annapolis and 30 percent in Hagerstown.