Drive ’N Arrive

• By Rhona Bosin, SafeRoadsMD

The goal of every vehicle journey is to arrive without a ticket or a crash.

This is the first in a series with updates and tips about safety on the road.

NHL Media

As the Olympics were wrapping up last month, the Team USA men’s hockey team paused to honor Johnny Gaudreau, their gifted teammate who was killed, along with his brother Matty, by an alleged drunk driver in Oldsman Township, New Jersey on August 29, 2024. After their historic gold medal win, team members raised Gaudreau’s jersey high during their victory laps.

We are all aware of the chronic peril of alcohol-impaired drivers, but it can be easy to overlook the ripple effect of every death on the road. It wasn’t only a precious and beloved team member lost that day, but lasting pain for his and Matthew’s parents, his wife, his two- and three-year old children, the team, and dare I say the country, as we lost a deeply talented athlete and the promise of his future as well.

Johnny and Matthew were riding bikes when they were struck. Ensuring safe roads for bikers needs to be a priority. There were fewer bike fatalities in Maryland during 2025. The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration reports a 33% reduction in pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities compared to 2024. There were 46% fewer motorcycle fatalities, and a drop in all road-related fatalities in 2025, from 582 to 480. This reflects an 18% reduction, and per Governor Wes Moore, 2025 was the first time traffic fatalities dropped below 500 since 2014.

With numbers heading in the right direction, it becomes imperative for us to continue preventing tragedies on the road. Every step toward greater safety helps. For example, the Maryland House of Delegates is considering HB 474, which would require drivers to make a reasonable effort to remove snow and ice from the hood, trunk, roof, and windows of their vehicles. If passed, it would be a misdemeanor with fines starting at $25 for a first offense, escalating to $200 for subsequent offenses. The Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee heard testimony on the “cross-filed” or companion bill (SB 698) in the Judicial Proceedings Committee held March 4, 2026. SafeRoadsMD provided testimony in both hearings, offering unequivocable support for the bills.

Whether we are celebrating the Olympics or keeping our vehicles snow-free,

winter is a time to focus on all we can achieve, from glorious accomplishment to

safer streets for all.

Today’s driver tip: We all have a routine for beginning a drive. It usually includes

some combination of buckling seat belts, adjusting mirrors, and checking our

surroundings. How about adding something to our pre-driving routine: a moment

of mindfulness to focus our attention on our journey and to set our intention on

arriving safely at our destination?