Another Teen Fatal Today (Charles)

High EGT

Gort! Klaatu barada nikto
Aside from all the challenges many have mentioned regarding new drivers one not discussed is the fact that today’s vehicles are manufactured to handle and perform so incredibly well that often going 55 you have the sensation of crawling along so its no wonder kids (adults to) feel compelled to drive aggressively.
 

Jbeckman

New Member
stats

For stats check with The National Study Center in Baltimore (web), with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation
I work with traffic safety in St. Mary's County. Data is generally a year behind (so what you will find is 2006 back). Census site can give the population data. MVA provide me also that the licensed drivers in this age group are 7.5% of the total licensed drivers in St. Mary's County (doesn't mean everyone has a license in each age group, just that this is their share of the whole).

My dad...grandpa...called yesterday and talked about this. Asked why more isn't being done. I gave him a rundown of the numbers. He couldn't believe it...I guess no matter how often the info is given...most of us don't really look at it and think of the real number of lives lost on this everyday event. I don't even know (without going back to research) who many people are injured, even permanently each year.

Anyway, everyone needs to have this info and really look at it. 9-11 was a horrible one-day...crashes every day. about 132 dying everyday, and the 43,000 maybe a little less, little more each year, but it is every year.

I am scared when I drive...so be defensive, always being looking for a way out, report suspected impaired drivers, buckle up in all positions.
 

BadGirl

I am so very blessed
....... But even without passengers one had 2 crashes , another 3 crashes, and other 4 crashes totalling one car. ......
And somehow these kids continued to drive even with those abysmal driving records?

Where did they get these cars, and why weren't they taken away from the kids after their first accident?
 

mAlice

professional daydreamer
For stats check with The National Study Center in Baltimore (web), with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation
I work with traffic safety in St. Mary's County. Data is generally a year behind (so what you will find is 2006 back). Census site can give the population data. MVA provide me also that the licensed drivers in this age group are 7.5% of the total licensed drivers in St. Mary's County (doesn't mean everyone has a license in each age group, just that this is their share of the whole).

My dad...grandpa...called yesterday and talked about this. Asked why more isn't being done. I gave him a rundown of the numbers. He couldn't believe it...I guess no matter how often the info is given...most of us don't really look at it and think of the real number of lives lost on this everyday event. I don't even know (without going back to research) who many people are injured, even permanently each year.

Anyway, everyone needs to have this info and really look at it. 9-11 was a horrible one-day...crashes every day. about 132 dying everyday, and the 43,000 maybe a little less, little more each year, but it is every year.

I am scared when I drive...so be defensive, always being looking for a way out, report suspected impaired drivers, buckle up in all positions.

Thanks for the links/information.

Interesting you say this, because I've always thought it's kind of silly the way people think putting a wrecked car at the gate during holidays, or posting pics of accidents, or discussing them is supposed to deter accidents, or make us safer drivers. To be perfectly honest, I've almost rear ended a few people because I was looking at the wrecked car. People will drive the way they drive because they either think they're invincible, they have a car they have no business driving (too much power), they don't care, or they know they're number could come up at any moment and they drive defensively and carefully.
 

Jbeckman

New Member
And somehow these kids continued to drive even with those abysmal driving records?

Where did they get these cars, and why weren't they taken away from the kids after their first accident?

The 1st one (and the youngest) bought his own vehicle and paid own insurance, (both youngest and oldest pay for car and insurance) and obviously didn't think when someone else is stopped in the middle of the road to talk to someone walking he should be prepared to stop. The second one was on his way to work (about 21 years old) and hit a patch of ice on a bridge. (cars were a old saturn and ranger pick...not sports, nothing bigger than a 4 cylinder)
Other ones mom bought cars, some with v6s, paid for (they will pay her back...right), even co-sign for one at 18 or 19 to buy a Acura RSX (?) super car. This two lost their licenses numerous times. Never allowed to drive our car (anything with my insurance) but I couldn't convince either parent to just take away their cars. I did send on car back to the mom's house. Most of the incidents happened at mom's house. I love those kids, but even my husband and I had many fights over my involvement (or should I say "don't get involve).
I am overprotective, but I can't stop everything...but my kids are not my friends...so I don't care if they "hate me". Just want them safe.
Youngest just got his license and he is 18. Says he doesn't know why he is paying for his brothers' mistake...oh well...
 

Jbeckman

New Member
Thanks for the links/information.

Interesting you say this, because I've always thought it's kind of silly the way people think putting a wrecked car at the gate during holidays, or posting pics of accidents, or discussing them is supposed to deter accidents, or make us safer drivers. To be perfectly honest, I've almost rear ended a few people because I was looking at the wrecked car. People will drive the way they drive because they either think they're invincible, they have a car they have no business driving (too much power), they don't care, or they know they're number could come up at any moment and they drive defensively and carefully.


Yep, my kids (when teenagers) said "it not gonna happen to me"...like those it happens to just got up this morning and said "todays my day". I am a constant reminder...cars were taken away (the ones I was responsible for). Also, if parents are not aware (an I am now)...you sign for them to get their licenses, you can sign with the MVA to have them revoked. :doh:
 

stonerbabii08

New Member
first off let me say RIP Stephanie and Laura we're all praying for you, and miss you, and John we're glad ur at home.

I happen to be a senior at TS and Laura happens to be a friend of mine. and i dont appreciate people on here trash talking her. yes she was speeding big deal. its not like she woke up that morning and decided hmm...let me kill my friend.

she made a mistake we all do. and she's suffering enough without the media, the cops, and all of you blaming her. she didnt mean to kill stephanie. everyone in this area speeds. its a fact. she just happened to be speeding at the wrong time i guess.

everyone at TS is going to miss stephanie. even if some of us didnt know her that well. and we're all praying for laura to get better. so just please stop trash talking her.


and one more thing. people really need to stop blaming teens and their parents. if we happen to have nice cars it doesnt mean anything. i myself happen to have a pretty nice sports car. but that doesnt mean i'm irresponsible. many of us are good drivers. and laura is one of them. she's not horrible. believe me we've seen horrible here growing up in waldorf. so all this talk about not allowing teens to drive to school, and raising the driving age isnt going to do much of anything.

and being a teen who is responsible its really upsetting. because then the whole community comes down on all of us when something like this happens. yes this is a tragedy we understand that. and you have no idea what it does to all of her friends. we're very careful. so please just stop
 

ITS ME

New Member
I happen to be a senior at TS and Laura happens to be a friend of mine. and i dont appreciate people on here trash talking her. yes she was speeding big deal. its not like she woke up that morning and decided hmm...let me kill my friend.

she made a mistake we all do. and she's suffering enough without the media, the cops, and all of you blaming her. she didnt mean to kill stephanie. everyone in this area speeds. its a fact. she just happened to be speeding at the wrong time i guess.

No I dont beleive your friend decided today let me go out and kill my friend, but apparently your friend thought she was invincible. Your friend had a 2000 plus pound weapon that she has handled recklessly for quite some time. You say you guess she was speeding at the wrong time. Try telling that to a parent that has just lost their child because of the carelessness of a teenager that thinks the rules to not apply to them. While I sympathize with your friend and the trauma that she will experience the rest her life, she had the responsible decision to drive the posted speed limit. Yes we all speed here and there, but from what I have read and what has been reported on the news, your friend drove recklessly seemingly every day. Unfortunately, a innocent person had to die and now Stephanie’s family will be spending, holidays, birthdays, vacations without their daughter because Laura decided to be irresponsible.

Driving is a privilege, not mandatory.
 

ItalianScallion

Harley Rider
I found out today that the arrangements are being handled by Raymond funeral home but nothing is being done there??? The viewing (not sure if it's open casket) and the service will be at St Michaels in Baden from 5-8pm Sunday night and the service is Monday at 11am. St Michaels is located at 17501 Aquasco rd. Corner of Aquasco rd & Horsehead rd. # is 301.579.6409
 

AndyMarquisLIVE

New Member
first off let me say RIP Stephanie and Laura we're all praying for you, and miss you, and John we're glad ur at home.

I happen to be a senior at TS and Laura happens to be a friend of mine. and i dont appreciate people on here trash talking her. yes she was speeding big deal. its not like she woke up that morning and decided hmm...let me kill my friend.

she made a mistake we all do. and she's suffering enough without the media, the cops, and all of you blaming her. she didnt mean to kill stephanie. everyone in this area speeds. its a fact. she just happened to be speeding at the wrong time i guess.

everyone at TS is going to miss stephanie. even if some of us didnt know her that well. and we're all praying for laura to get better. so just please stop trash talking her.


and one more thing. people really need to stop blaming teens and their parents. if we happen to have nice cars it doesnt mean anything. i myself happen to have a pretty nice sports car. but that doesnt mean i'm irresponsible. many of us are good drivers. and laura is one of them. she's not horrible. believe me we've seen horrible here growing up in waldorf. so all this talk about not allowing teens to drive to school, and raising the driving age isnt going to do much of anything.

and being a teen who is responsible its really upsetting. because then the whole community comes down on all of us when something like this happens. yes this is a tragedy we understand that. and you have no idea what it does to all of her friends. we're very careful. so please just stop
I like the screen name. :yay:

I would like to start off by asking: Are you really a senior? Couldn't tell by the god awful grammar.

She is a horrible driver. Sorry.

Maybe when she has to learn to go a few weeks or months without her car, she'll realize the necessity of following traffic laws. I've had multiple encounters with her on the road (unless it was some other piece of chit yellow Chevrolet Cavalier with a black stripe down the side). My boss has had problems with her and on an almost daily basis, and has seen her car pull into TSHS.

One of my friends, also a senior at Thomas Stone High School, has a problem with her driving. Other people on these very forums have had a problem with her driving. My highest ranking supervisor was on the other end of the line when I mentionedc that she'd kill someone, which she did. Sucks to be right sometimes. Is it another car? HIGHLY improbable, so don't come on here and pull that misdemeanor crap.

I never, nor has anybody else on these forums, attacked her character or integrity. I'm sure she's a nice person. Someone I work with is a nice person, but a horrible driver.

I'm not the world's greatest driver, and if you're car is outrunning me on a county backroad, there's a serious problem. I admit it, sometimes I go down Turkey Hill or some other place you wouldn't find many cars at and let it all loose. I've never flipped my vehicle over in doing so, and I drive a big boxy SUV. She had to be driving at like 70-80 mph, and that's a big deal. You can't even get to 80 mph on 301 at 2 am coming back from a NASCAR race.

Speeding is a big deal, though. 5, 10 mph over the limit is one thing. But Laura ought to just go take her car to Marlboro Raceway and get her thrills there, because she's going WAY too fast.

Hey, maybe she can drive for our ARCA team next year. :jet: :lmao:

If you're going to come on here and pick a fight with this crowd, you better be ready to bring it. You're friend has just changed everything for teenage drivers in Charles County.

Now, EVERY teenage driver is going to start paying the prices for Laura's driving habits. Granted, she's not the only one, but this is the tip of the iceberg. The police have had enough. Charles County schools have had enough. You and the rest of your classmates will end up paying, in the short term, for her mistake.

BTW ... Stone sucks. :loser:

What was the score of the Stone/Westlake football game? 42-6 was it? :evil:

Now, go back to smoking your weed and drop the act. :cool:
 

AndyMarquisLIVE

New Member
No I dont beleive your friend decided today let me go out and kill my friend, but apparently your friend thought she was invincible. Your friend had a 2000 plus pound weapon that she has handled recklessly for quite some time. You say you guess she was speeding at the wrong time. Try telling that to a parent that has just lost their child because of the carelessness of a teenager that thinks the rules to not apply to them. While I sympathize with your friend and the trauma that she will experience the rest her life, she had the responsible decision to drive the posted speed limit. Yes we all speed here and there, but from what I have read and what has been reported on the news, your friend drove recklessly seemingly every day. Unfortunately, a innocent person had to die and now Stephanie’s family will be spending, holidays, birthdays, vacations without their daughter because Laura decided to be irresponsible.

Driving is a privilege, not mandatory.
:yeahthat: Great post. :clap:
 

Bann

Doris Day meets Lady Gaga
PREMO Member
I am scared when I drive...so be defensive, always being looking for a way out, report suspected impaired drivers, buckle up in all positions.

I was scared driving today. I was going west on route 231 from Calvert co. to Charles co and some idiot tried to pass me because I wasn't speeding. Speed limit is 50mph. He nearly had a head on collision with a vehicle traveling east! I called the sheriff's dept. & reported what I could remember of his tag, too. (New York tags) The lady said they'd contact the Charles co. sheriff's dept & I'm not sure they ever had any results. At least I did something. I have the (non emergency) number programmed in my cell phone & I'm going to start doing that from now on.

Slow down you in-a-hurry idiots!!!! I'm not going to speed just so people can get someplace 5 minutes faster. (if that)
 

Bann

Doris Day meets Lady Gaga
PREMO Member
and being a teen who is responsible its really upsetting. because then the whole community comes down on all of us when something like this happens. yes this is a tragedy we understand that. and you have no idea what it does to all of her friends. we're very careful. so please just stop


And being a teen who is truly responsible, I am sure deep down inside you know that while, yes, your friend made a mistake, she was a habitual mistake maker while driving a car. With all due respect to you in your time of grief, you cannot possibly be serious that we should stop "blaming parents & teens"? Well, who else is to blame? Parents & teens. Teens doing the driving. Parents letting teens do the driving.

YOU may be careful. But at least in this instance your friend was not. She is NOT a careful driver if she is speeding. And speeding on a road like the one she was on is reckless driving, IMO.

And talking about the facts in an accident (speeding, driver error, carelessness, possible reckless driving, etc) is not "trash talking". Instead of directing your anger at the community forums here, maybe you could take that energy & do something positive which might honor the memory of Stephanie. How about a "safe driving campaign" for teens. Pledge to ALWAYS drive the speed limit, always wear your seatbelts, never use cell phones, etc. while you're driving.

That would be a real "responsible" teen, IMO.
 
Instead of directing your anger at the community forums here, maybe you could take that energy & do something positive which might honor the memory of Stephanie. How about a "safe driving campaign" for teens. Pledge to ALWAYS drive the speed limit, always wear your seatbelts, never use cell phones, etc. while you're driving.

That would be a real "responsible" teen, IMO.

:clap:
 

Bann

Doris Day meets Lady Gaga
PREMO Member
Channel 7 is reporting the drivers name as Laura Ritter. I really hate to say it, but I have seen that car travelling the back roads and the driver really really drove like there was no rules. I have actually pulled over at St. Peters to allow her to pass me because she was so far up my bumper. The car was not one you could forget, it was truly 1 of a million if not 1 of a kind.

Channel 7 also states at the end of their viedo that many people that live around the accident scene was familar with that car travelling recklessly.

My prayers go out to all families involved, nobody should have to endure the pain of burying their child, nor should another child have to bear the guilt of being responsible for the death of their friend.



I cannot imagine that they would not know about this so I think her parents ought to be flogged for letting her keep her car and driving priviledges. By not taking away the car & the keys they condoned her behavior.
 

belvak

Happy Camper
I've been reading all the posts on this thread as well as the others regarding the recent tragic deaths of so many teens in the Tri-County area. The thing that I keep thinking about, is from when I was in school many years ago. If I remember correctly, didn't school buses used to have governor's (sp?) on them to keep them from going above a certain speed limit? Couldn't this be done (computerized, of course) nowadays for personal vehicles when/if a car owner requested it? I know it wouldn't keep accidents from happening, but it might save a few lives by keeping drivers below a certain speed, say 60 MPH maybe? Anyway, it's just a thought that keeps popping into my head. My thoughts and prayers go out to all families, friends, and loved ones of all of the teens involved...
 
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AndyMarquisLIVE

New Member
And being a teen who is truly responsible, I am sure deep down inside you know that while, yes, your friend made a mistake, she was a habitual mistake maker while driving a car. With all due respect to you in your time of grief, you cannot possibly be serious that we should stop "blaming parents & teens"? Well, who else is to blame? Parents & teens. Teens doing the driving. Parents letting teens do the driving.

YOU may be careful. But at least in this instance your friend was not. She is NOT a careful driver if she is speeding. And speeding on a road like the one she was on is reckless driving, IMO.

And talking about the facts in an accident (speeding, driver error, carelessness, possible reckless driving, etc) is not "trash talking". Instead of directing your anger at the community forums here, maybe you could take that energy & do something positive which might honor the memory of Stephanie. How about a "safe driving campaign" for teens. Pledge to ALWAYS drive the speed limit, always wear your seatbelts, never use cell phones, etc. while you're driving.

That would be a real "responsible" teen, IMO.
Excellent post. :clap:
 

dww24

New Member
I cannot imagine that they would not know about this so I think her parents ought to be flogged for letting her keep her car and driving priviledges. By not taking away the car & the keys they condoned her behavior.


I so agree with you. When our daughter started driving we found out she was driving fast on the roads. We took her keys from her for 1 month. We also live less than 1 mile from where this accident happened. I also had that car tailgate me. One other thing, our daughter had a car and went to TSHS but she road the bus every day. Why did those kids not ride the bus?
 
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