SafeRoadsMD Quietly Launches "Pace Car Maryland" in Annapolis

SafeRoadsMD is "soft"-launching our Pace Car Maryland Program, with more 30 dedicated drivers already signed up as our pioneering cohort. These community-minded individuals will soon be displaying Pace Car stickers or magnetic signs on their vehicles, visibly demonstrating their commitment to safer streets throughout our community.

This Pace Car Maryland driver will be respecting posted speed limits, not using their mobile phone, completely stopping for pedestrians and practicing other proven life-saving habits.

Why Annapolis?

Why target Annapolis as our preliminary market? For starters, consider an Annapolis Police Department 2023 Traffic Safety Report documenting 1,247 speed-related crashes in the greater Annapolis area, marking a 15% increase from 2022. Also, a 2023 City of Annapolis Neighborhood Safety Survey found that 68% of residents report feeling unsafe walking or cycling due to speeding vehicles (n=842 respondents). Plus, oh yes, it's Maryland's capital, the birthplace of State laws.

Building Momentum

SafeRoadsMD believes that introducing Pace Car Maryland throughout Annapolis and, learning and adapting from the experience, ultimately moving beyond to community speeding hot spots throughout Maryland will help augment efforts to reduce Maryland’s death toll to zero, making Maryland the safest state in the US.

In doing so via SafeRoadsMD, Pace Car Maryland owns the opportunity to become the first statewide Pace Car program nationwide.

Behind the scenes, we applied for a grant to the Maryland Highway Safety Office (Zero Deaths Maryland) to support the Annapolis Pace Car campaign. We're poised to publicly launch the Pace Car program throughout the greater Annapolis area in the coming months.

How Pace Car Works

Pace Car Maryland encourages drivers make and embrace the Safe Driver Pledge, which includes observing posted speed limits and nine other safe driving practices that "set the pace" for traffic behind drivers.

By creating a network of conscientious drivers, we can collectively calm traffic and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Thanks to Our Supporters

This initiative wouldn't be possible without the tireless dedication of the SafeRoadsMD team, especially longtime Maryland bicycling and road safety advocate Greg Cantori, and SafeRoadsMD Chair John Seng. Their vision and persistence have turned this concept into reality. We're also deeply grateful for the cooperation, support, and encouragement from the Zero Deaths Maryland staff members, whose guidance has been invaluable throughout this process.

Join the Movement

We believe everyone can be part of the solution to creating safer streets in our community. That's why we're inviting all residents to become Pace Car Maryland drivers!

Take Action Today: Visit https://www.saferoadsmd.org/pacecar  to sign up and join our growing community of drivers committed to saving lives through safer driving habits. Join our Pace Car Facebook community to be the first to know about new developments! 

Together, we can create a culture of safety on Maryland's roads, one car at a time.