Baltimore County, Maryland – Baltimore County police are urging drivers to change everyday habits that continue to drive serious and fatal crashes across the U.S., emphasizing that many deadly collisions are preventable.
According to a safety message shared today by the Baltimore County Police Department, four behaviors remain the most dangerous contributors to severe crashes: drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, and failing to wear a seat belt.
The department cited national crash data showing that drunk driving kills about 34 people every day in the United States — roughly one person every 42 minutes. Speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all traffic fatalities for more than two decades, according to long-term federal crash analyses.
Distraction remains another persistent risk. In 2023, more than 3,200 people nationwide were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers, a category that includes cellphone use, in-vehicle distractions, and diverted attention.
Police also highlighted the continued impact of seat belt non-use. National data show that 49% of passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2023 were not wearing seat belts.
While the figures are national, Baltimore County police say the same behaviors contribute to serious crashes locally. Officers regularly encounter impairment, excessive speed, and distraction during traffic enforcement and crash investigations throughout the county.
The department stressed that drivers have direct control over these risk factors and that small decisions — buckling up, slowing down, staying focused, and never driving impaired — significantly reduce the likelihood of fatal outcomes.
The message is part of ongoing traffic safety efforts and enforcement initiatives aimed at reducing serious injuries and deaths on county roadways. Police encouraged residents to model safe driving habits, particularly as traffic volumes increase during commuting hours and weekends.
For young drivers, students, and daily commuters, police say these choices can mean the difference between arriving safely and becoming part of a devastating statistic.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness. Follow us on Instagram & Facebook and support local independent news. Have a tip? Message us.
