A recent report from the Maryland government roadway fatality reduction initiative, Zero Deaths Maryland, indicates that Maryland is currently on track for a higher number of roadway fatalities in 2023 than in 2022. At this time last year, Maryland had 321 roadway fatalities reported, while currently Maryland has 353 roadway fatalities reported. Since 2018, the number of fatal crashes in Maryland has gradually increased year by year. In 2018, there were 485 fatal crashes, but the total rose to 546 by 2020.
There are various causes of fatal automobile accidents, including the size of the vehicles involved and whether any of the vehicle operators were impaired. According to Zero Deaths Maryland, the state has been relatively stable when it comes to fatal car accidents involving driver impairment and overall accidents involving impaired drivers. In 2017, Maryland had 170 driver-impaired fatal crashes while in 2021, the state had 154 driver-impaired fatal crashes. Similarly, in 2017 there were 6,654 total driver-impaired crashes, while in 2021 there were 6,522. A recent news article discussed a fatal Maryland car accident.
According to the news article, the crass occurred on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at approximately 5:06 p.m. Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported 2-car collision at the intersection of Budds Creek Road and Mechanicsville Road in Mechanicsville. The preliminary investigation revealed a 2021 Honda Accord attempted to make a left-hand turn from Mechanicsville Road onto southbound Budds Creek Road. The driver failed to yield the right of way to a 2000 Chevrolet truck traveling northbound on Budds Creek Road. The young driver of the Honda, aged 19, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger of the pick-up truck was transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital by ambulance for minor injuries. At this time, speed does not appear to be a factor in the accident.