Bob Wagner
bobwag (at) gmail.com
Dear Mr. Wagner:
I have reviewed your comments and concerns regarding the recent WJZ report on pedestrian and bicycle accidents being on the rise in Baltimore County. Specifically, I am responding to your concerns that the police reported that the truck driver may not be at fault and that the bicyclist was not wearing a helmet, was riding in the middle of the car lane, and that the truck driver had a blind spot when he came over a hill. I am unaware of any police report on this crash stating that the bicyclist was at fault because of the aforementioned reasons. Given that the WJZ report is dated May 6th, two days after the crash occurred, any information learned or obtained at that point in the investigation would be preliminary observations with no conclusion as to fault. Please understand, how preliminary information is reported by the media or how it is construed by the public is beyond the control of the Police Department.
The police report of public record for this crash indicates, by numeric code, that the bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. There is no statement of fault attached to this observation. The report indicates that the bicyclist was traveling north in lane #2 (the center lane) of three northbound lanes (2 northbound lanes and 1 transitional lane for exiting and entering Interstate 695). There is no statement of fault attributed to this finding. The report includes a statement from a witness that heard the truck driver state that the bicyclist must have come up on his blind side. Again, the cyclist was not indicated as being at fault because of this finding. In fact, the police investigative report concludes the truck driver, not the bicyclist, to be at fault for the crash.
As a fellow avid cyclist, having participated in five Cycle Across Maryland (CAM) Tours and numerous Century Rides, I share your concerns about cycling safety and the need for motorists to respect the rights of cyclists. I ensure you of my continuing commitment to traffic safety in Baltimore County for cyclists, as well as pedestrians and motorists. In support of this commitment, Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith and I recently announced an initiative to reduce traffic crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists in Baltimore County. This initiative will include three important components: Education, Enforcement and Engineering. The Police Department plans to contribute significantly to the Education and Enforcement components. I regard with interest the current effort of the Maryland State Police to develop curriculum for police officers on Maryland traffic laws relating to cyclists. I would be receptive of exposing our officers to this training.
Thank you for voicing your concerns.
Sincerely,
James W. Johnson
Chief of Police
Chief James W. Johnson
Office of the Chief
Baltimore County Police Department
700 East Joppa Road
Towson, Maryland 21286-5501
410-887-2200, Fax: 410-887-4958
E-mail: jwjohnson (at) baltimorecountymd.
Office of the Chief
Baltimore County Police Department
700 East Joppa Road
Towson, Maryland 21286-5501
410-887-2200, Fax: 410-887-4958
E-mail: jwjohnson (at) baltimorecountymd.
