ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland transportation officials are setting less ambitious goals after failing to significantly reduce pedestrian deaths in the state.
The state established a 5-year goal in 2006 of reducing pedestrian fatalities to a maximum of 85 by 2010. The state put $50 million into the effort, which was dubbed the Maryland Strategic Highway Plan.
But The Washington Examiner reports that pedestrian deaths bottomed out at 93 in 2006. There were more than 100 deaths each year from 2007 through 2011. The state's new goal is to reduce pedestrian fatalities to 92 by 2015.
State Highway Administration spokesman David Buck says Maryland has made progress with other aspects of its strategic plan, including reducing fatalities related to distracted and aggressive driving. But he says pedestrian deaths remain an anomaly.
