Aruna Miller Chairs Inaugural Safer Maryland Coalition Meeting

Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller and Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson convened the inaugural meeting of the Safer Maryland Coalition on September 2, bringing together leaders from across the state to translate shared responsibility for roadway safety into concrete action.

According to a statement from Miller’s office, the coalition comprises 15 leaders from local and state government. Each member has been asked to make a meaningful commitment within their community and sphere of influence to improve roadway safety.

By coordinating these individual efforts, the coalition aims to accelerate Maryland’s work to reduce roadway fatalities and move the state closer to eliminating deaths on its roads.

“Safer roads begin with understanding that every Maryland community faces different challenges,” said 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. The group brought stakeholders together following the fatal 2023 crash in a work zone on Interstate 695 and helped advance changes intended to better protect workers and motorists.

Those measures include:

• Implementing the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act of 2024
• Introducing Basic Work Zone Training classes and updating traffic control standards
• Collaborating with the Maryland State Police on “Move Over” enforcement initiatives
• Conducting public education and outreach efforts highlighted during the annual Work Zone Safety Week, Work Zone Safety Summit, Work Zone Safety Fair and Unity Ride

During the inaugural meeting, Maryland Highway Safety Office Director Tim Kearns provided coalition members with an overview of the state’s transportation safety landscape. Members also discussed Maryland’s safety commitments and reviewed a Rapid Action Toolbox designed to help them 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 joined the initiative.

“Every life lost on our roads is a preventable tragedy,” said 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 tasked with bringing together local leaders and partners to take coordinated action toward the state’s goal of eliminating roadway deaths by 2030.

Its objectives include:

• Building a common understanding of Maryland’s roadway safety needs and sharing proven solutions
• Developing a network of transportation safety leaders who can support one another in advancing safety-related planning, policies and projects in communities statewide
• Expanding each member’s safety initiative to produce statewide results in support of Maryland’s Vision Zero goals

The coalition’s approach is intended to turn ideas into measurable action by drawing on the expertise and reach of leaders across Maryland, the statement noted.

“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,” it added.

The Safer Maryland Coalition will continue working with members to develop and advance individual safety commitments, share best practices and strengthen collaboration around the state’s broader roadway safety mission.

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