Police Seek to Reduce Traffic Deaths

Rockville City Police will participate in a statewide effort to put an end to traffic fatalities and change August’s reputation as the deadliest month on Maryland roads.

Throughout August, the department will join law enforcement agencies around the state in increasing traffic enforcement operations as part of the “Toward Zero Deaths” initiative, the city announced in a news release on Tuesday.

"Historically, August has been the deadliest month for traffic-related fatalities in Maryland," Rockville Police Chief Terrance N. Treschuk said in the release. "This year the public can expect a greater police presence on our roads, especially at night."

Between 2001 and 2010, there have been more traffic-related deaths in Maryland during the month of August than during any other month, according to the State Highway Administration.

Nighttime enforcement operations are proving even more critical, Treschuk said in the release.

"Even one more death is too many," Treschuk said. "Rockville City Police officers are committed to public safety, and we know that many dangerous behaviors occur at night. People are more likely to drive impaired or not wear their seat belt, and we will have a zero tolerance enforcement policy for these violations."

Between 2005 and 2009, 63 percent of the 2,275 vehicle occupant deaths in Maryland involved speeding, impairment or lack of seat belt use, according to SHA.

Police will have highly visible traffic enforcement measures in place on roads through the state during August, beginning with the Smooth Operator program, which aims at preventing aggressive driving in Maryland and the District of Columbia

Police also will conduct increased sobriety checkpoints and seat belt patrols, the release said.