In 2013, Ocean City saw a remarkable 14 percent decrease in traffic collisions as compared to 2012. As 2014 draws to a close, police are optimistic for another decrease in traffic collisions but it rests largely in the hands of those traveling Ocean City roadways.
“The driver is ultimately responsible for their own safety,” stated Chief Ross Buzzuro. “If citizens choose to drink alcohol, we strongly recommend that they have a designated driver, call a cab or catch a city bus. And of course, we want everyone using a seat belt in every seat, every time they get in a vehicle.”
From 2009 to 2013 in Maryland, 856 people were killed in impaired-related crashes, accounting for a third of all traffic fatalities across the state. In addition, almost 600 people died in crashes where they were not wearing a seat belt.
“Our law enforcement partners are out there strictly enforcing our laws, particularly when it comes to impaired driving and seat belts,” said MVA Administrator and the Governor’s Representative for Highway Safety, Milt Chaffee. “We are committed to our goal of moving Toward Zero Deaths on Maryland’s roads and a driver making the right choices means that we can stop needless and preventable tragedies from occurring.”
More than 400 people were arrested for DUI in Ocean City in 2013 and there were hundreds of seat belt citations issued. Penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are severe, including thousands of dollars in fines and fees, not to mention the increased risk of crashes associated with impaired driving. Drivers face fines of $83 for failing to wear a seat belt, a law that is enforceable in both the front and back seats.
3 comments:
The reason for the decrease is simple, fewer Pennsylvania drivers the past 2 years.
Ha ha 8:37 but in reality the town is empty during the week. Coastal Hwy., after about 8 pm, is deserted, whereas West OC is still bustling. Very few people live in OC and of course, tourism is reflective of this wonderful economy. In OC, if you see headlights on the road after dinner, it's probably the police.
9:27, I'm 8:37 you are correct. I lived in OC from June 2006 to Jan 2014. When I first moved there in the summer it would take me 30-40 minutes to drive 2 miles on Coastal to work in the afternoon. In 2009 to 2012 it would still take me 20-30 minutes to drive to work. By 2013 it would only take about 10-15 minutes. They keep saying that more people are coming to town and business is up however that is only true on weekends. I would estimate that summer weekday visitors are down by at least 20% from 2006.
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