Safety advocates back Kramer’s bill to stop ICC speeding

by Judith Hruz

Editor

Sen. Benjamin F. Kramer is going to try again to quell excessive speeding on the Intercounty Connector.

The District 19 lawmaker, nearby residents and other concerned road warriors have long been concerned about how fast and recklessly motorists drive on the ICC (Route 200).

“This dangerous behavior is becoming more prevalent, and the need to make this roadway safer has been recognized,” said Mindy Baden, chair of the Greater Olney Civic Association Transportation Committee and a long-time advocate for safer streets.

Baden and other road safety advocates are hoping that Kramer’s bill, MC 10-25, which would require the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) to place automated speed monitoring systems on the ICC, will pass during the 2025 session of the Maryland General Assembly.

The session, the 447^th of the state legislature, convened Jan. 8 and will end April 7.

This is the third consecutive year that Kramer has introduced ICC speed camera legislation in the General Assembly.

The Intercounty Connector was “planned” as an east-west thoroughfare into neighboring Prince George’s County for over 50 years before it was built.

Most of the roads in Montgomery County were built in a north-south pattern, designed to get traffic from Montgomery and counties north into the District of Columbia.

As traffic patterns changed, local streets and neighborhoods became burdened with traffic needing to travel east and west.

The ICC was built to accommodate increasing traffic volume over the next 50 years but is still lightly travelled compared to what planners had envisioned.

However, perhaps in part to the low volume, many motorists travel at speeds far exceeding the posted 60 mph speed limit.

In 2023, 153 crashes were reported on the Montgomery County portion of the ICC, and due to the excessive speeds, the crashes were severe, safety advocates say. Excessive speed accounted for almost one half of all 2023 roadway fatalities in Montgomery County.

According to Kramer, the goals of placing speed cameras on the ICC are to reduce speeds, increase public safety and improve the quality of life for those living along this highway.

Advocates for MC 10-25 testified Dec. 9 in Wheaton before the Montgomery County Delegation to the General Assembly about the critical need for speed cameras on the ICC and the urgency of passing the bill.

With the full support of MDTA and the Montgomery County Delegation, there is renewed hope that the bill will pass in the full General Assembly and be signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore, the advocated say.

In his testimony submitted to the County Delegation, Brooke Manor Estates Homeowners Association President Robert Zimmerman said Brooke Manor has been working with both the MDTA Police responsible for the ICC and the MDTA executive team for at least six years on ICC safety and noise issues.

“We appreciate that they have met with us, but little if any concrete action has been undertaken,” he said. “Yes, we see increased traffic enforcement periodically, but nothing to make a long-term difference. There has always been a reluctance to use more aggressive speed reduction techniques like speed cameras. We’re frustrated.”

Badin commented on the large number of crashes that have occurred in Montgomery County and Maryland over the past few years.

“In 2023 there were 622 road fatalities statewide, with 46 in Montgomery County alone,” she said. “Quite unfortunately this year [2024], Montgomery County has already matched last year’s total of 46 fatalities. Each of these fatalities represents a grieving family, the loss of a parent, a child, a sibling, a friend. These indescribable losses need not have to continue. These crashes are totally preventable through much more responsible driver behavior, improved road design, automated enforcement and vehicle technology enhancements.”

Badin and her husband lost their son Brett five years ago while he was crossing the street in Rockville.

John Seng of SafeRoadsMD, a former long-time Olney resident, testified to the legislative delegation that “speeding not only endangers lives, but also undermines Montgomery County’s Vision Zero goals to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries. Maryland currently ranks 17th in the least roadway fatalities nationwide. While this position reflects some progress, we must strive for zero deaths and aspire to lead the nation in roadway safety. Achieving this goal requires a comprehensive, step-by-step approach. There is no panacea, and MC 10-25 represents a critical piece of the puzzle. Speed cameras have long since been proven effective in curbing speeding and