Aruna Miller Chairs Maryland Coalition Aiming For Zero Road Deaths

India-West News Desk

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson convened the inaugural meeting of the Safer Maryland Coalition, bringing together 15 state and local government leaders to coordinate efforts to reduce roadway fatalities.

Each member is expected to make a commitment in their community or area of influence to improve roadway safety. The coalition aims to bring those efforts together as Maryland works toward zero deaths on its roads by 2030.

During the first meeting, Maryland Highway Safety Office Director Tim Kearns gave members an overview of the state’s transportation safety landscape. Members also discussed the state’s safety commitments and reviewed a Rapid Action Toolbox intended to help identify steps they can take within their organizations and communities.

The coalition builds on the Moore-Miller administration’s work with transportation safety stakeholders, including the Maryland Work Zone Safety Work Group, which was formed after the 2023 I-695 work zone crash.

That effort led to changes including implementation of the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act of 2024, new Basic Work Zone Training classes, updated traffic control standards and collaboration with Maryland State Police on “Move Over” enforcement initiatives.

The coalition will focus on sharing roadway safety solutions, supporting transportation safety leaders and coordinating planning, policy and project efforts across Maryland. Potential initiatives include adopting local safety policies, supporting safety projects or programs, developing safety plans and working with stakeholders on improved enforcement.