BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland transportation officials said 136 people were killed in crashes on state roads between Memorial Day and Labor Day this year, a lower toll than the same stretch last year. The Maryland Department of Transportation said the summer figure compares with 152 deaths during the same period in 2025.
The agency also said overall roadway fatalities were down 13% compared with last year. As of Sept. 7, Maryland had recorded 290 traffic deaths in 2026, compared with 332 by the same date in 2025. Officials said the decline is encouraging, but they stressed that every crash death is still preventable.
Statewide fatality counts remain below last year’s pace
MDOT’s latest numbers show a year-to-date drop even as traffic deaths continue to climb toward the end of the year. By Sept. 7, the state had lost 42 fewer people on the road than at the same point in 2025.
Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer said the reduction should not distract from the human cost behind the statistics. In a statement, she said each death affects families, friends and communities across Maryland. She also urged drivers to slow down, stay focused, avoid impairment and make safe choices every time they get behind the wheel.
Back-to-school driving brings fresh safety concerns
With school starting up again, MDOT is asking motorists to pay closer attention around buses and neighborhoods. Drivers must stop for school buses with flashing red lights unless they are traveling on the opposite side of a roadway divided by a physical median.
The agency also reminded drivers to watch for children near roadways. That warning comes as morning drop-off and afternoon pickup patterns increase the number of people moving around school zones, sidewalks and crossings. Officials said caution around children is one of the most important habits drivers can practice this time of year.
Officials urge drivers to be ready for roadside emergencies
MDOT also used the safety reminder to push preparation for breakdowns and other roadside problems. The agency said drivers should keep vehicles in good working condition and carry an emergency kit in case of trouble.
If a flat tire happens, officials said safety should come first. Drivers should pull off the roadway to a safe place if possible, turn on hazard lights and call for roadside assistance when needed. The guidance is meant to keep people from taking unnecessary risks along busy travel lanes.
Motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists need extra attention
State officials said drivers should be especially careful around motorcyclists, who can be harder to see in blind spots. They urged motorists to look twice before changing lanes or turning, a precaution aimed at preventing crashes that happen in an instant.
MDOT also asked drivers to share the road with pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists. The reminder is part of a broader push to reduce deaths among the people most vulnerable in traffic, especially when vehicles are speeding, distracted or not paying close attention to their surroundings.
Speeding, distraction and impairment remain major risks
In its list of reminders, MDOT said drivers should obey posted speed limits and slow down in work zones. It also said motorists should move over for vehicles with flashing lights, or slow down if a lane change is not safe.
The agency warned against distractions such as phones, passengers and any activity that takes attention away from the road ahead. Other advice included never driving impaired by alcohol or drugs, wearing seat belts on every trip and avoiding aggressive driving by allowing extra time to reach a destination.
