ANNAPOLIS, MD (link) —
Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller and Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson today convened the inaugural meeting of the Safer Maryland Coalition, bringing together leaders from across Maryland to turn shared responsibility for roadway safety into concrete action.
The coalition is made up of 15 members from different leadership positions across local and state government. Each participating member is asked to make a meaningful commitment within their own community and sphere of influence to improve roadway safety outcomes. By bringing those individual actions together, the coalition aims to accelerate Maryland’s work to reduce roadway fatalities and continue to move the state toward zero deaths on its roads.
“Safer roads begin with understanding that every Maryland community faces different challenges,” said Lt. Governor Aruna Miller. “The Safer Maryland Coalition brings together leaders from across the state to share ideas, identify solutions, and put them into action where they can have the greatest impact. By pairing statewide collaboration with local knowledge, we can build safer roads for everyone.”
The coalition builds on the Moore-Miller Administration’s collaborative approach to transportation safety, including the work of Maryland’s Work Zone Safety Work Group. That effort brought together stakeholders following the tragic 2023 I-695 work zone crash and helped advance lasting changes designed to better protect workers and motorists, including:
Implementation of the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act of 2024
New Basic Work Zone Training classes and updated traffic control standards
Collaboration with Maryland State Police (MSP) on “Move Over” enforcement initiatives
Frequent work zone safety public education and outreach opportunities highlighted during the annual Work Zone Safety Week, Work Zone Safety Summit, Work Zone Safety Fair and Unity Ride.
During the inaugural meeting, coalition members received an overview of Maryland’s transportation safety landscape from Maryland Highway Safety Office Director Tim Kearns, discussed the State’s own safety commitments, and reviewed a Rapid Action Toolbox designed to help members identify steps they can take within their organizations and communities. Members were also asked to consider what roadway safety means to them and why they are joining the effort.
“Every life lost on our roads is a preventable tragedy,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson. “Safety is the Maryland Department of Transportation’s top priority and we are determined to continue making progress toward our goal of Zero Deaths on Maryland roads, but we can only do that if we harness all our resources and work together to find solutions. We share the urgency of Maryland families and communities around reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries.”
The coalition is charged with bringing together local leaders and partners to take coordinated action to help the state achieve zero deaths by 2030. The purpose of the Coalition is to:
Build a common understanding of Maryland’s roadway safety needs and share proven solutions.
Foster a cohort of transportation safety leaders to support one-another in delivering safety related planning, policy or project advancements in communities statewide.
Scaling each member’s safety action to deliver statewide results in pursuit of the State’s Vision Zero goals.
The coalition’s approach is designed to turn ideas into measurable action by tapping the expertise and reach of leaders across the state. Potential initiatives outlined for consideration include implementing a new, local safety policy, championing a project or programmatic intervention, leading the development of a Safety Plan and working with stakeholders to pursue improved enforcement, among others.
The Safer Maryland Coalition will continue working with members to develop and advance individual safety commitments, share best practices and strengthen collaboration around Maryland’s broader roadway safety mission.
