Attorney
Ten Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) buses are equipped with talking technology to warn pedestrians who may be unaware of an approaching bus. An audible female voice alerts pedestrians, “Pedestrians, bus is turning! Pedestrians, bus is turning!” The MTA is testing two different audio warning systems to help avoid devastating bus-pedestrian accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, transit buses struck and killed 393 pedestrians between 2000 and 2009. Bus-pedestrian accidents account for only a small portion of the more than 100 Maryland pedestrian fatalities each year, but the accidents attract public attention and expensive lawsuits.
Most recently, an MTA bus struck and killed a state employee this past February at Slade and Park Heights avenues in Pikesville. The MTA talking bus technology was in the works prior to the fatal collision. The MTA is testing two different talking technologies on five buses each. The buses have speakers mounted on each side and sensors detect when the driver turns the wheels and activates the warning voice.
The MTA will test the warning systems for about two months and hopes to equip its buses with the technology. It will cost approximately $1500 to $2000 to equip each bus with the safety systems.
Contact a Maryland personal injury lawyer if you suffer injuries in a bus-pedestrian accident. Justin Beall is an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis, and he can help you recover financial compensation for your injuries.