WASHINGTON, D. C. (Thursday, March 22, 2018) – Tragically, Indian Head Highway is living up to its reputation as one of the most dangerous roadways in the Washington metro area. Early this morning, a 24-year-old pedestrian reportedly on her way to a job interview was struck by a vehicle as she was crossing northbound Indian Head Highway, according to the Prince George’s County Police Department. She was pronounced dead on the scene. Her death brings to 61 the number of traffic fatalities on the star-crossed roadway since 2007, notes AAA Mid-Atlantic.

During 2017, seven persons perished in fatal traffic crashes on Indian Head Highway (Maryland 210). The tragic tally brings to 23 the number of persons, including motorists, pedestrians and motorcyclists, killed on the highway since 2014.  The latest deadly incident reportedly occurred at 5:45 A.M. at the intersection of Indian Head Highway and Kerby Hill Road. “Preliminarily, it appears she was in the crosswalk at the time of the collision,” according to investigators with the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit of the Prince George’s County Police Department. Work zone speed cameras mounted on mobile sport utility vehicles stationed on Maryland 210 and Kerby Hill Road/Palmer Road issued 7,755 tickets from November 2017 to February 2018.

Indian Head Highway remains a dangerous place to drive or walk. However, estimates of the death toll along Indian Head Highway vary. For example, official data prepared by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) show nearly 50 persons have lost their lives on the highway during the ten year period from 2007 to 2017. Since 2007, 47 fatal collisions have occurred on the highway, including eight spectators at an illegal drag racing incident that turned deadly in the southern region of Prince George’s County, according to Maryland SHA data.

Yet an unofficial analysis indicates the death toll might be even higher along the roadway. Residents along the roadway cite reports showing at least sixty one deaths on Indian Head Highway. On average, six persons lose their lives on Maryland 210 each year, as was the case from 2007 to 2017.  In the past year residents who live along the highway, and refer to it as “our Main Street,” and motorists who travel the roadway daily, have called upon the Governor, state agencies, law enforcement departments, county and local officials for greater traffic enforcement and other enhanced safety measures on MD 210.

During a crackdown in 2017, 3,568 drivers were cited for unsafe driving practices on the roadway. Over 2,000 motorists were ticketed for traffic violations during a joint operation by the Prince George’s County Police Department and the Maryland State Police in the first months of 2018. Citing ten-year traffic crash data along Indian Head Highway from the Maryland State Highway Administration, the following chart was prepared by the Tantallon Citizens Association.

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