Frederick Police urge caution on the road amid rise in pedestrian-involved crashes

FREDERICK -- Frederick Police are urging drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to be careful on the roads as the city sees a rise in pedestrian-involved crashes.  

Officials emphasized that drivers, especially those with large vehicles, have a duty to ensure the safety of others on the road.  

"Everyone makes mistakes, but being defensive when you're on foot, behind the wheel or on a bike can help prevent a mistake from becoming a tragedy," officials said.  

The City of Frederick has committed to Vision Zero, an initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries.  

The city's Active Mobility Advisory Committee (AMAC) provides recommendations to enhance infrastructure and safety, including installing "green pavement treatment" bike lanes to improve cyclist visibility and adding clearer signage.  

Frederick Police shared their recommendations to stay safe on the road.  

Pedestrians:  

• Always cross at designated crosswalks or intersections 
• Connect with drivers to ensure they see you crossing 
• Avoid distractions, especially when crossing the street 

Cyclists:  

• Obey traffic laws, yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and use hand signals  
• Equip your bike with lights and wear reflective gear, especially during low-visibility  
• Watch out for turning vehicles and make eye contact when negotiating right-of-way, particularly in parking lots 

Drivers:  

• Follow posted speed limits and reduce speed near crosswalks or areas with heavy pedestrian traffic 
• Always stop for people in crosswalks, even if it means waiting a little longer 
• Stay focused; people – even other drivers – are unpredictable 

"Every time we respond to a call about a pedestrian being struck, it's devastating, not just for the victim and their family, but for the driver and witnesses, too," said Master Police Officer Andrew Coady. "These tragedies often stem from small but preventable mistakes. A moment of inattention can change lives forever."  

Baltimore Road Safety 

The warning from Frederick Police comes after Baltimore County Police shared a similar warning in November after four fatal pedestrian crashes were reported within five days.  

Three of those crashes occurred during early evening or morning hours, officials said.  

In Baltimore City, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is making safety improvements along a stretch of road where four people were killed after being hit by cars in November.  

The DOT installed new speed zone cameras along Belair Road in Northeast Baltimore and said they are repainting faded crosswalks. The department also plans to add new speed limit signs and a red light camera.  

"We have families walking on the road. We just want them to drive very slowly because we want people to be safe," said Rita Crews, President of the Belair-Edison Community Association.