HAGERSTOWN – In response to ongoing concerns over roadway safety, the City of Hagerstown has unveiled a comprehensive Safety Action Plan to eliminate fatalities and reduce severe injuries from road incidents citywide.
Developed collaboratively by the City of Hagerstown and the Hagerstown/Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization, the new plan incorporates extensive community and stakeholder feedback. Over 1,900 community members responded to a recent safety survey, highlighting significant concerns for distracted driving, speeding, aggressive driving and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, city officials said.
Between 2019 and 2023, Hagerstown recorded 3,873 crashes on local and state roads, excluding significant interstates, officials added. This resulted in 20 fatalities and 95 severe injuries. Pedestrian and bicyclist safety remains particularly problematic, with 149 pedestrian-involved crashes reported, six of which were fatal.
At the center of the plan is a “Safe System Approach,” aligning with national strategies set forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The plan emphasizes proactive safety improvements and clearly defined projects to address high-risk areas identified in the city’s High Injury Network, city officials said.
Several Hagerstown corridors, notably Antietam Street, Locust Street and Mulberry Street, have been earmarked for immediate attention. Proposed interventions include road “diets,” which means reducing vehicle lanes to manage speeds, enhanced pedestrian crossings, updated traffic signals and additional signage.
City officials have outlined an actionable timeline for implementation and established a Safety Action Committee responsible for monitoring progress and updating the community annually. Funding will primarily rely on federal grants, including the Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
The plan is available online here, and the city encourages residents to review it and stay engaged in upcoming discussions and safety initiatives.
