Severna Park Residents Sound Off on Safety Issues

SEVERNA PARK, MD– Sunday morning in Baltimore, a cruise ship crashed into a gangway, causing the gangway to fall and damage three cars underneath, according to a statement by Carnival to WBAL editor Mia Rosas.

>>News Alerts: Subscribe to a free email newsletter: ANNAPOLIS•EDGEWATER•ODENTON

While worrying about death by rogue cruise ship isn’t something to lose sleep over, there are other possible dangers that affect Severna Park residents.

Don’t forget to like Severna Park Patch on Facebook!

We asked Patch Readers what they thought the biggest safety issues were in their town. Here’s a list of the most pressing problems, from break-ins to traffic jams:

• "People coming out of Chic-fil-a and Starbucks onto Leelyn Dr. You should not be allowed to turn left. That causes so many accidents."
• "People in the left turn lane at Ritchie/B&A, who then blow thru the intersection to the next left turn lane at Robinson/Ritchie...despite several signs prohibiting it."
• "Drivers (long time residents of SP) who still make a left turn from Leelyn Dr onto RT 2 south Ritchie Hwy despite the "No Left Turn" posted sign."
• "Distracted drivers who drive while texting or using their smartphones."
• "Traffic and Poor Drivers!"

According to HealthGrove, a medical news site, dying by assault is more common in Maryland than many other states. There are 6.7 deaths per 100,000 in the state from assault, compared to 3.2 deaths per 100,000 for the country.

And it’s not just assault. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 442 traffic fatalities in 2014, thankfully down from 614 deaths almost a decade earlier.

But it’s not all bad in Maryland!

From lucky moms winning the lottery to animal success stories, plenty of good happens in your neighborhood.

Just last week, a humpback whale was spotted breaching in the Chesapeake Bay. Humpback whales may soon be moving off the endangered species list, where they’ve been since 1970, after an increase in population.

Each week, Patch works to bring Severna Park residents the latest news from their area. Some good, some bad and some delicious.

Is there an problem that wasn’t mentioned? Share it with us in the comments below or on our Severna Park Patch Facebook page.