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Published: June 11, 2008 10:48 am
Highway safety concerns Garrett County residents

Sarah MosesCumberland Times-News
OAKLAND - An accident on U.S. Route 219 in the Deep Creek Lake area this past weekend brought concerns from residents about the safety for both drivers and pedestrians."I encourage you to do more," Scott Johnson, president of the Deep Creek Lake Property Owner's Association, told the Garrett County commissioners at their Tuesday meeting. "People come here to relax and want a safe environment. There is the potential to ruin the number one industry - tourism, and second - home sales."Johnson said the accident near Unos restaurant was a sign of how congested traffic can get at this time of year.He said State Park Road, in particular, has people driving above the speed limit, putting other drivers and especially pedestrians at risk.Fred Polce, director of the county's Department of Roads, said a study, conducted from June 4 to June 9 showed the average speed of drivers was 28 mph in a 25 mph. He also said that the stretch of that road studied between Toothpick and Glendale roads averaged about 900 vehicles a day.Johnson added there is definite concern in the Thayerville area, particularly at the stoplight for Glendale Road and stretching down to Traders Landing.Denny Glotfelty, commission chairman, said he agreed that it is a problem area. He said most drivers there are trying to observe traffic and the stoplight, and are not always careful of pedestrians crossing Route 219.Ernie Gregg, commissioner, said that there have been ongoing traffic studies around Traders Landing in that area, but the state is still conducting the studies. There are plans, he said, to upgrade the lighting in the Unos area.He said he had suggested the possibility of rumble strips on the roadway in the area to keep drivers aware of the crosswalks."In other places," Commissioner Fred Holliday said, "they know to stop for a crosswalk if a pedestrian is standing there. Why can't we get people to understand that in Garrett County?"Johnson said it might take education to be done by various groups in the community, including local police forces, the county government and the media.He said some of the problems, particularly those along State Park Road could be solved with the addition of more speed signs and getting the sheriff's department on those roads more often to catch those speeding.Jay Moyer, Oakland resident, said he felt a large part of the problem was cell phone usage while driving."Why not make it a no cell phone use area?" Moyer said. "Nine out of 10 times there's a problem, people have their cell phone at their ear."No decisions were made on the suggestions at the meeting.

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.