LANDOVER, Md. — It’s a busy road between US 50 and the Capital Beltway, but now Maryland is looking at ways to slow people down on MD 202-Landover Road to protect pedestrians.
Prince George’s County Police report 60 crashes per year in that stretch. Since 2010, five pedestrians have been hit and killed, including a 15-year-old. About 40,000 vehicles drive on Landover Road between US 50 and the Beltway in a given day.
“It’s a mixed area, which includes residential homes, major shopping and it’s a huge thoroughfare of Landover Road. Plus we move about 70 students each day along this corridor with a crossing guard to Kenmoor Middle School,” says Prince George’s County Police Maj. Robert Liberati, who runs the speed and red-light camera program.
The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) says this corridor is one of the top 50 highest pedestrian crash areas.
“All but one of the pedestrian deaths was after dark. We know bad lighting is an issue here and that’s something we’ll be taking a look at,” says Liberati.
Speed cameras are another option. Speed limits are between 35 and 40 mph on this road, but the majority of drivers go more than 50 mph. A speed camera can be put up within one-half mile of Kenmoor Middle School, but only after SHA gives Prince George’s County formal approval.
“Automated enforcement is only one tool that’s used, and it can’t be the only tool. It takes everything. It takes traffic control. It takes pedestrian control. It takes making sure that customers are aware of the dangers of crossing outside of a crosswalk,” says Liberati.
“We’re also looking at some type of fencing or barriers to prevent people from crossing outside the crosswalks,” he adds.
The barrier he is looking for would be similar to College Park, where three pedestrian deaths forced drastic changes last summer. The fence is in the median and does not give the pedestrian any place to cross other than in the crosswalk itself.
SHA officials will visit the roadway in June to study options to combat the pedestrian safety problems. SHA should complete a report on those options before the end of the year.
