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But determining which roads present the biggest hazard to motorists is not a clear-cut task.
The Maryland State Police regularly compile accident records by route. These statistics take into consideration the number of injuries and fatalities, which, with other factors, are combined to determine a severity index. Routes that are most frequently cited for accidents include Md. 2 (Anne Arundel County), Interstate 695 (Baltimore County), U.S. 140 (Carroll County), U.S. 40 (Harford County) and Interstate 95 (Howard County), according to Maryland police reports. Other jurisdictions, including local police departments, sheriff’s offices and automobile insurance companies, also issue lists of perceived trouble spots.
But lists of so-called trouble spots are misleading, according to David Buck, spokesman for the Maryland State Highway Administration.
“Ninety percent of accidents can be attributed to driver error,” he said but added the amount of traffic handled by a road is often overlooked. “A road is only as dangerous as a driver makes it.”
Proper drivers’ education is one key to making roads safer, said Raja Faiz. As owner of My Driving School in Woodlawn, he stresses learning and obeying traffic laws. He said much of driving can be broken into basic maneuvers — careful merging, signaling and making safe lane changes, and maintaining proper speed. But he also noted the importance of drivers’ emotional states before getting behind the wheel.
“If you’re upset or angry about something, calm down first,” he said.
“Obey the laws,” echoed Cpl. Michael Hill, spokesman for the Baltimore County Police Department. Too often, “the car radio is on, there’s a cell phone in one hand and a cigarette in the other. If drivers would just pay more attention to what they’re doing, we would have fewer unfortunate accidents,” he said.
Alcohol, speed and aggression are additional factors, he said.
Even policemen have to contend with traffic when they’re behind the wheel. Hill said he drives “everywhere” and does not let an area’s reputation deter him.
“Just use due caution and care,” he said.



Comments from Examiner Readers
7:42 AM MST on Tue., Nov. 18, 2008 re: "The Subaru 360"
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11:01 AM MST on Thu., Oct. 30, 2008
re: "The Subaru 360"
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10:33 PM MST on Wed., Aug. 13, 2008
re: "Riding in style at Auto Showcase"
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10:04 PM MST on Mon., Jul. 21, 2008
re: "The Subaru 360"
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10:19 AM MST on Sat., Jun. 21, 2008
re: "The Subaru 360"
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2:40 PM MST on Mon., Jun. 9, 2008
re: "‘A win-win situation’"
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6:46 PM MST on Wed., Nov. 28, 2007
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4:59 PM MST on Wed., Aug. 22, 2007
re: "The Subaru 360"
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9:34 AM MST on Tue., Jul. 31, 2007
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6:53 AM MST on Fri., Jun. 15, 2007
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Ernest H. Schaedlich said:
Please talk Subaru back into making them again i had 2 an loved them we need them now i am retired an i would love one of them now with the price of fuel why can,t we have them again ? i think its because the fuel co. could not make as much money if we all had one of these cars who needs speed i just want good mpg other than my motor scooter signed retired .
1 agree | 0 disagree
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Subaru 360 member said:
We have 3 of these subaru 360's. WOW, must be the only 3 known surviving!! These are great cars, need parts then you better join the subaru 360 club, that is were we got all our parts.
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Examiner Reader said:
Stay away from Auto Showcase Motor Cars of Baltimore!! Disregard the "Asking Price" in the website ads. Be sure to read the "fine print". Scroll way down to the bottome to the "Terms of Sale Overview" and read very carefully: "** Advertised prices exclude taxes, tags, dealer fees & aftermarket rims,all prices reflect $3,000 down payment. " Hence.... every Auto Showcase ad is far from honest in the advertised "Asking Price". This represents the value to be financed!. Add $3,000 for the down payment for the actual total price!! Rude personnel!! Total waste of time!!!!!!
1 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
found a running subaru 360 in upper michigan needs paint and minor body repair but car is solid and fun to drive needs windshield can anyone help
1 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Hey i just had one of these cars given to me on 6-20-08 what a neat little car this is.I'm in Texas.It needs a motor and interior.This will be a cool progect for me.So if anyone has extra parts and etc let me know.
5 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
WHAT SETS THE NORRIS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP APART: OUR REPUTATION. We do what we say we're going to do. We are motivated by doing the right things for the right reasons. To bad David Norris Cook doesn't deliver and do what he says he will do... much less the right thing!
5 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
He should also teach them customer service.
187 agree | 172 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If there are only 3 Subaru 360s still in existence in the US, how about the 100 owned by the 400+ member families in the SUBARU 360 DRIVERS' CLUB, now in our 29th year and still growing? www.subaru360club.org PS - I have driven Subaru 360s more than 300,000 miles since 2/75 and have never (yet) been stuck on the road with one. I get 40 - 50 mpg, and can cruise at 60-65 mph al day.
245 agree | 273 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I just saw one come into a junk yard yesterday. it was all there except the seats. they put a battery in it and it turned over..I'm sure with gas itt would start..do you think I should offer them a few hundred for it?
282 agree | 273 disagree
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Phil Morneault a Subaru 360 Owner said:
Just a few notes, there are alot more surviving 360s than 3, they are in the hundreds. Also the sedan only had two doors not four. They CAN acheive 60mph (no head wind preferred) Also with the ethenol based fuel they acheive about 40mpg. To learn more about the Subaru 360 take a look at the club website. www.subaru360club.org ~ Phil
293 agree | 287 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Wow, great math skills. go back to school. 55 miles per hour equals around 88 kilometers per hour...the kilometer is a smaller measurement than a mile. 100 kilometers per gallon would translate to about sixty...about what the diesel is supposed to get.
802 agree | 315 disagree
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Join ABATE said:
That was a very entertaining article, though I don't think it was intended to be so funny. I doubt if the reporter is a motorcyclist, based on the comical safety tips she offers. As an example, there is no mention of rider training or driving sober, which are the two most significant ways riders can reduce their risk. But considering her reliance on AAA as a source (they lead the anti-motorcyclist lobby), I'm not surprised she recommends 'extremely' tight helmets and motorcycle airbags. Instead of fantasizing about safer crashes, bikers should hone their skills at dodging inattentive drivers. That's how to stay alive and in one piece.
308 agree | 294 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I own a 1990 Cadillac Coupe DeVille and agree with you 100%. I like the '88-93 Devilles the best, and I also believe they are among the best mechanically. The 4.5 V8 in my 90 is still going strong with 100k+ miles and never a problem. I did have an 84 Deville prior with the 4.1 that needed engine replacement very early on.
603 agree | 378 disagree
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