WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD - You may not think about your life when you turn on your engine, but for Sonja Hoover, whose son was killed in a crash, every drive is a deadly reminder.
"My husband said no it's not a prank," says Hoover. "State troopers are at our front porch and Quinn has been in a really bad accident and we have to leave now."
Sonja's son Quinn was killed in a car accident in March this year after he fell asleep behind the wheel. Unfortunately there are more stories similar to Sonja's. A new report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the number of people killed on the roads has increased by about 10% since the same time last year. In the state of Maryland, the highway death toll was 549 and officials fear that may go up this year.
In Washington County, state police say they are also seeing an increase in the number of fatalities. Already the figures have doubled compared to September last year.
"The major cause of the crashes at least when there's more than one vehicle involved is someone not staying in the right of center," says Lt. Tom Woodward, Maryland State Police Hagerstown.
AAA says one major contributing factor is the recovering economy and thus more vehicles on the road. AAA says there were less motorists in years past because of factors such as unemployment. Lt. Woodward says they hope to lower the numbers by the end of the year by reminding people to not drive distracted, pull over when you're feeling tired, and most importantly pay attention. It's reminders Sonja advocates in memory of her son.
"I'm only 41 myself and I got a long way to go till I see him again, and it's just not natural for a parent," says Hoover.
"My husband said no it's not a prank," says Hoover. "State troopers are at our front porch and Quinn has been in a really bad accident and we have to leave now."
Sonja's son Quinn was killed in a car accident in March this year after he fell asleep behind the wheel. Unfortunately there are more stories similar to Sonja's. A new report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the number of people killed on the roads has increased by about 10% since the same time last year. In the state of Maryland, the highway death toll was 549 and officials fear that may go up this year.
In Washington County, state police say they are also seeing an increase in the number of fatalities. Already the figures have doubled compared to September last year.
"The major cause of the crashes at least when there's more than one vehicle involved is someone not staying in the right of center," says Lt. Tom Woodward, Maryland State Police Hagerstown.
AAA says one major contributing factor is the recovering economy and thus more vehicles on the road. AAA says there were less motorists in years past because of factors such as unemployment. Lt. Woodward says they hope to lower the numbers by the end of the year by reminding people to not drive distracted, pull over when you're feeling tired, and most importantly pay attention. It's reminders Sonja advocates in memory of her son.
"I'm only 41 myself and I got a long way to go till I see him again, and it's just not natural for a parent," says Hoover.
