Fatal Crashes in Howard County Prompt Road Safety Reminder

After at least four fatal vehicle collisions in the county in less than a month, the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) is reminding drivers to keep safe when on the roads.

HCDFRS is working with the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Volunteer Fire Council to help make safety come first for residents and the department during International Fire/EMS Safety and Health Week, June 17-23.

The theme for Safety and Health Week this year is “Rules You Can Live By,” aimed at keeping firefighters and paramedics safe both when they’re behind the wheel and when responding to the scene of an accident on a busy roadway.

This month, every firefighter and paramedic in the department will attend safety courses designed to help responders keep safe when at the scene of collisions.

For citizens of the community, the fire chief offers this advice: “If you can take a moment to slow down when you see emergency personnel responding on the scene of an accident, that would go a long way in helping us stay focused on the task at hand,” Fire/EMS Chief William Goddard said in a statement.

In the past month, there have been at least four fatal vehicle collisions in Howard County, all on well-traveled roads: 

• On May 21 in Marriottsville, .

• On May 30 in Ellicott City, with the car in front of him.

• On May 31 in Ellicott City, .

• On June 15 in West Friendship, on Interstate 70.