Speed Limit Lowered on U.S. 1 After 3 Pedestrian Deaths

In the wake of three pedestrian deaths, including two University of Maryland students, that happened along U.S. 1/Baltimore Avenue in College Park this year, the speed limit is now lowered on the road.

The Maryland State Highway Administration on Tuesday installed more than a dozen signs to officially lower the speed limit between Guilford Road/Guilford Drive and Berwyn Road from 30 mph to 25 mph, according to a news release.

Janelle Marie Oni, 21, of Randallstown was the latest pedestrian involved in a fatal accident on U.S. 1. On July 5, Oni was struck by a man who was driving with twice the legal blood alcohol level.

Earlier in the year, two college students were also struck and killed along the major highway.

In January, University of Maryland student, Cory Hubbard, 22, of Westhampton was struck and killed in a hit-and-run when he tried to cross Baltimore Avenue at Knox Road.

In April, a senior from George Washington University, Carlos Pacanins, 23, of Chevy Chase was struck near the same intersection. He was weeks away from graduation. 

The objective of the new speed limit is to slow drivers to make them more attentive to pedestrians walking along and crossing US 1. Local and University Police officers will enforce the new speed limit. The College Park City Council recently approved expanded use of speed cameras to seven days a week/24 hours a day along US 1.

Since spring, some modifications have already been made to U.S 1, including shorter pedestrian wait times for crossing signals, automatic crossing signs for pedestrians, “Don’t Cross” signs to remind pedestrians not to cross mid-block, “No Pedestrian” signs in the medians, new crosswalk markings, and signs for drivers that say “State Law - Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswalks.”

“These engineering enhancements are a step in the right direction and we’re counting on drivers and pedestrians to make good decisions and follow laws,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters in the release. “It is critical to look up, stay alert, use marked crosswalks and follow the pedestrian signal indications.  At the same time, we remind drivers to be alert along US 1 - to follow the posted speed limit and stop for pedestrians.”

Additional upcoming enhancements include:

• By the end of August, the state will install a temporary fence along the median of US 1 between Knox and Hartwick roads to deter mid-block pedestrian crossings.
• By late October, state crews will install an overhead flashing pedestrian signal at the US 1 and Hartwick Road intersection. Similar to the signals along US 1 at Fraternity Row and Paint Branch Parkway, it will flash yellow to US 1 vehicular traffic and flash red to Hartwick Road traffic except when a pedestrian pushes the walk button; the signal will turn to solid red in all directions to stop traffic and allow pedestrians to safely cross the intersection.

The University of Maryland, University of Maryland Police Department, the City of College Park and SHA also announced an upcoming pedestrian safety education campaign: Walk Smart College Park that includes partnering with local restaurants and taverns. The primary goal is to educate University of Maryland students about the rules of the road and safe walking and crossing practices along off-campus public roads such as US 1.