The Maryland Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) is a statewide, coordinated, comprehensive, traffic safety plan to reduce highway fatalities and serious injuries on all public streets and highways. It establishes overall goals and objectives, as well as strategies within each of six key areas. SHSP is a working document covering the years 2016 through 2020.

The plan was formulated after years of improved highway safety. Despite increases in vehicle miles traveled, reported traffic crashes declined in Maryland, dropping to a historic low of 96,392 in 2009. Between 2005 and 2009, the number of fatalities decreased by 10.4 percent, overall injuries decreased by 14.4 percent, and serious injuries declined by 39.9 percent. To continue this positive trend, Maryland updated the plan in 2010 under the direction of the SHSP Management and Implementation Teams.

Safety is a State priority. Maryland joined the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), other national organizations and several other states in adopting a Toward Zero Deaths fatality goal to reduce motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries by one-half by 2030. Each emphasis area also adopted measurable fatality and injury objectives in line with these goals.

Click here to view The Maryland Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP).

For additional information, contact the Maryland Highway Safety Office at mhso@mdot.state.md.us.