Press Releases
Montgomery County Vision Zero Annual Report Shows 29% Reduction of Serious and Fatal Crashes on High Crash Corridors
For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 20, 2025
Intersection of Crystal Rock and Waters Landing Drives – Before and After Improvements
Serious and fatal crashes on Montgomery County’s high injury network (HIN) corridors decreased 29% in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) compared to the pre-COVID-19 years of 2015 to 2019, according to the County’s Vision Zero annual report.
The Vision Zero initiative is the County's multi-departmental effort to end serious and fatal crashes on roadways by 2030. HIN corridors, which have the highest serious and fatal crash rates, are prioritized for safety interventions under the Vision Zero Action Plan.
“While important safety projects are underway across the community by municipal, County, and state partners, we still have too many of our neighbors killed trying to cross the street, including two students in the past two months,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “As we mourn those we have lost, I am encouraged by the State Highway Agency's quick response to solve issues on the state roads, where most of our fatalities occur. Along with the MDOT Secretary’s Serious about Safety program, we are seeing real investments with a $15 million safety project along New Hampshire Avenue and $50 million along Georgia Avenue in Montgomery Hills.”
Serious and fatal crashes in Montgomery County overall were 5% lower compared to the pre-COVID-19 years of 2015 to 2019, according to the report.
“This year was a major breakthrough for safety legislation and funding,” said the County’s Vision Zero Coordinator Wade Holland. “The County government, working with our state delegation, was able to expand the use of automated enforcement in our known high-crash-risk areas and hold dangerous drivers accountable under the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act. Additional funding from the County Council allowed Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) to update over 200 traffic signals across the County to give pedestrians a head start and to conduct more in-depth reviews where students have been struck going to or from school. While no one law or tool will get us to zero, the continued collaboration and focus is driving down serious injuries and fatalities where we have active projects and campaigns.”
The annual report details progress made on 113 projects, campaigns, and initiatives that were undertaken between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The complete FY25 Vision Zero annual report can be found on the County’s Vision Zero website.
“MCDOT has worked closely with state and local officials to advance safety projects across County and state roads,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “I am proud that our team was able to combine important pedestrian and bicycle safety needs with the Veirs Mill Road bus rapid transit (BRT) project to fill in critical safety gaps and improve connections to future BRT stations. I encourage residents to learn more about our projects and how to get involved in making our roads safer by design.”
The FY25 report is the fourth under the Vision Zero 2030 Action Plan that outlines the projects and activities necessary to reach the Vision Zero goal of ending serious and fatal crashes. The initiative’s FY26 work plan is underway with projects across the County.
“Our officers, along with our automated traffic enforcement program, are committed to enhancing roadway safety through enforcement efforts and by educating road users, all in an effort to change behavior. Simply put, we make getting dangerous drivers off the road a priority,” said Montgomery County Department of Police Chief Marc Yamada. “Impairment-related fatal crashes are still up compared to before COVID. As we look towards the end of 2025, holiday get togethers are upon us, so please plan a safe ride home. Remember, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) offers free $15 Lyft credits as a way to make certain that you have a guaranteed sober ride home and to ensure that you and your family are all present at your family dinner tables this holiday season.”
To learn more about Vision Zero efforts and how to get involved, visit the Vision Zero website.
For more information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Bluesky,Facebook, Instagram, and X, and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.
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Media Contact: Wade Holland 240-777-2623
Categories: Transportation