Crash Data for Baltimore Neighborhoods

Doing anything while Black (shopping, going to Starbucks, birdwatching, existing) can be a life threatening experience. It is a well documented fact that African Americans are more likely to be hit by white people driving cars than any other group.

White people driving cars are literally less likely to brake when they see Black pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Nationwide statistics bear out this disparate harm to African Americans. Data from other states also shows that Native Americans and Latinos are also more likely to be hit by people driving cars as well.

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Unfortunately, the state of Maryland does not collect racial or ethnic data for vehicular crashes, so we do not know the magnitude of the problem here. This is a perfect example of the principle that ‘what gets measured, matters’ and it seems clear that very few people care whether Black and Brown people suffer disproportionate harm from reckless people driving cars. Delegate Robbyn Lewis introduced legislation during the 2020 session to create a racial and ethic reporting requirement. This bill passed the House, but stalled in the Senate.

Delegate Lewis intends to reintroduce this bill next year.

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As of 2018, in Baltimore City there was 1 traffic fatality every 11 days; 1 traffic injury every 56 minutes; and 1 traffic crash every 28 minute (MDOT).

• Black people make up about 19% of all pedestrian deaths in the US, while Hispanics make up about 21%.

• People age 65 and older are 50% more likely to be struck and killed by a car while walking (Smart Growth America 2014).

• The presence of urban highways in Baltimore’s residential neighborhoods is a vestige threat to health and quality of life of African American, Latinx and lower-income people in this city.

• The state of Maryland does not collect crash data by race.

Pedestrian death and injury are not infrequent in the Coalition’s focus area.

In August 2019, a man riding his bicycle was killed in a hit and run on Madison Street.

A few weeks ago, in early July 2020, a woman was mowed down in a hit and run on Orleans Street ; she remains in a coma as of this writing.

Rarely is anyone brought to justice for these crimes. And nothing has been done to slow down traffic and improve street conditions for the people who live here.

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Using the link the below, you can explore crash data in your neighborhood:

Vehicle Crash Maps for Baltimore Neighborhoods

Credit: Anikwenze Ogbue, October 2019

- Delegate Robbyn Lewis