For many Maryland families navigating divorce, one of the most emotionally charged and financially complex decisions is what to do with the marital home. The house isn’t just a piece of property, it’s where family memories were created, routines were established, where children made their bedrooms and celebrated milestones. At its core, the marital family home is the physical manifestation of stability in a family. Therefore, the division of the home in the event of a divorce is often one of the most contentious issues.
The task of agreeing whether or not either party can remain in the home is never simple, and this is often the case because there are inescapable economic realities to grapple with. Specifically, the existence of financing is attached to both parties. There is no doubt that if one spouse is vacating the home, the understanding will be that the vacating party will be released from the financial obligation associated with the loan, leaving very limited options to the spouse remaining in the home. Burdensome interest rates, high closing costs, and the challenge of qualifying for a new loan alone often make refinancing impracticable. As a result, many families are forced to sell their homes or remain financially entangled with their ex-spouse through a shared mortgage.
But starting October 1, 2025, Maryland is offering a new path forward. House Bill 1018 will require lenders to allow eligible divorcing homeowners to now assume their existing mortgage without refinancing. That means the assuming party keeps their existing loan terms, including the same interest rate and the same monthly payment, but no more shared liability with your ex. This law is a major step forward in helping families preserve economic stability during the divorce process.
What Is Mortgage Assumption?
A mortgage assumption is when one party takes over (“assumes”) another party’s existing mortgage loan as opposed to just taking out a brand-new mortgage. In the context of a home mortgage where two divorcing parties are jointly liable, an assumption allows one party to “assume” the other party’s financial obligation, whilst maintaining the loan terms of the underlying loan and thus avoiding the need to refinance the loan with different loan terms. While the assuming party does not need to submit a new loan application or pay closing costs or appraisal fees, an eligibility process is still a feature of an assumption.
With interest rates significantly higher than they were just a handful of few years ago, refinancing often results in a much more expensive monthly payment. Therefore, for many families, an assumption is the only way to maintain a family home.
With HB 1018, Who Qualifies and When?
The law applies to:
Conventional home mortgage loans (for example, privately arranged loans, not those insured or guaranteed by federal government programs) issued by non-depository conventional mortgage lenders
New mortgages issued after October 1, 2025
Existing mortgages, if the divorce decree is entered on or after October 1, 2025
This means even if you purchased your home years ago, you may still benefit from this law, so long as your divorce is finalized after the effective date. It’s important to note that the law doesn’t automatically apply to every mortgage. It specifically targets conventional loans, which are commonly used by Maryland families when purchasing a home.
Exceptions to Know About HB1018
While the law covers most conventional mortgages issued by non-depository conventional mortgage lenders, it does not automatically apply to:
FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loans
VA (Veterans Affairs) loans
USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) loans
Mortgages held by large depository national banks such as Wells Fargo, Chase, or Bank of America
However, assumption may still be possible with these types of loans, but the mandated disclosure of HB 1018 will not attach to these loans. Each lender has its own policies and procedures, and with the right legal strategy, assumption may still be achievable.
Real-World Impact
Let’s say you and your spouse refinanced your home in 2021 with a 3.25% interest rate. In 2025, that rate might be closer to 6.5%. If you’re awarded the home in your divorce, refinancing into a new loan could double your monthly payment, not to mention force you to pay thousands in closing costs and fees. Under the new law, you may have a strong position when discussing options with your mortgage lender to keep your original mortgage, your original rate, and your original payment. That’s not just a financial win, it’s a lifeline.
This change can help:
Keep children in their existing schools
Preserve familiar routines
Maintain emotional and financial stability
Avoid the stress and cost of selling and relocating
Why Legal Guidance Matters
Even though many lenders operating in Maryland will soon be required to offer assumption in qualifying cases, they still have discretion in approving the spouse who wishes to take over the mortgage. That’s where skilled legal counsel becomes essential. Understanding the qualification parameters and existing lender requirements will improve qualification chances.
A Path Toward Stability
Divorce is never easy, but losing your home doesn’t have to be part of the process. With Maryland’s new mortgage assumption law, families can stay rooted in the place they’ve built together without the financial burden of refinancing or the emotional strain of selling.
If you’re considering divorce and want to explore your options for keeping your home, contact me today to discuss your options.
Steve Pavsner is now serving as a Hearing Officer for National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM), one of the nation’s premier providers of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services. In his dual role as arbitrator and mediator, Steve applies his extensive legal experience to help parties resolve disputes efficiently and fairly.
With a legal career spanning five decades, Steve has litigated a broad spectrum of complex civil matters, including class actions, False Claims Act cases, business disputes, and professional negligence claims involving medical, nursing home, legal, architectural, accounting and engineering malpractice. His extensive litigation background equips him with the insight and precision necessary to navigate even the most intricate cases.
Known for his meticulous preparation and steadfast impartiality, Steve facilitates meaningful dialogue and equitable outcomes across a range of civil disputes. His ADR services are available throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia, where he continues to be a trusted resource for attorneys and clients seeking alternative paths to resolution.
At the National Employment Lawyers Association/New York conference on September 12, 2025, Michal Shinnar presented key strategies for effectively leveraging expert witnesses to quantify and present economic damages in employment litigation. The presentation focused on the critical role of expert testimony in cases involving discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage disputes.
During the session, attendees gained insight into when expert testimony is essential for establishing damages, how to identify and select the most appropriate economic expert for a case, and practical methods for translating complex financial analyses into clear, persuasive evidence for judges and juries. Michal also addressed advanced techniques for cross-examining opposing experts, uncovering weaknesses in their damage calculations, and developing persuasive counterarguments to challenge defense tactics in order to maximize a client’s economic recovery.
In an article published in Law360 on August 25, 2025, Michal Shinnar discusses the Second Circuit’s ruling that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission may continue investigating a worker’s charge even if the employee has filed a separate lawsuit.
The precedential decision, which reflects a growing consensus among federal appeals courts on the breadth of the agency’s powers, affirms that EEOC does not yield its ability to process a worker’s charge simply because the employee behind the filing has gone to court. Although the Supreme Court has not addressed the issue directly, high court rulings dating back to 1977 have laid the foundation that EEOC investigations operate independently of private litigation as the agency’s mission is to advance the public interest, not merely to remedy individual grievances.
Michal said the Second Circuit’s decision is the proper interpretation of the commission’s authority because the EEOC can secure forms of justice that may be out of reach for an individual employee. The commission has the power to ask a court for broad, injunctive relief, like mandated antidiscrimination training or recurring compliance reporting. The agency can also bring a class action claim without going through the certification process that individuals bringing class-wide claims must hurdle. “These are rights given to the EEOC, and they can’t be taken away because of what a private party does. The EEOC has its own interest,” she said.
Drew LaFramboise has been named to The Daily Record’s 2025 Medical Malpractice & Personal Injury Law Power List.
Selected by the publication’s editorial team, with input from knowledgeable members of the community, the attorneys on the list are among the most influential and respected medical malpractice and personal injury practitioners in Maryland.
A principal at JGL, Drew is a seasoned trial attorney and strategic problem solver who has spent his career representing individuals and businesses in complex, high-stakes legal matters, securing millions of dollars in compensation for clients. His experience spans the full spectrum of litigation, from initial case investigation to trial. While Drew thrives in the courtroom, he is equally skilled in alternative dispute resolution and has achieved favorable outcomes through negotiation, mediation and arbitration. He approaches each case with a tailored, results-oriented mindset, developing creative, client-focused strategies and solutions.
The start of a new school year brings equal parts excitement and stress for families. For parents who are recently separated or adjusting to a new custody order, the transition to a new school year can be even more complicated. These complications range from figuring out school drop-offs to parent-teacher conferences – everyday routines that now involve coordination across two households.
As a Maryland family law attorney, I’ve seen how back-to-school season can become a flashpoint for conflict. The good news is that with preparation and clear communication, families can reduce stress and keep the focus where it belongs, the best interests of the child.
The Legal Foundation: Custody and Parenting Plans in Maryland
Legal Custody: which is the decision-making authority concerning the child over big issues like school enrollment, IEPs, and extracurriculars.
Physical Custody: which is where the child lives.
The legal custody and physical custody of a child are often set forth in a custody agreement or a custody order. In these instances, it is critical to follow your agreement or custody order exactly as written. A parent who makes unilateral decisions, like changing schools or signing forms without authority, risks legal consequences relative to their agreement or custody order. However, for parents without a custody agreement or custody order, a legal foundation that differs from the default status as parents has not yet been established, which means that both parents are generally entitled to be involved. It is important to understand where your situation falls on the spectrum of legal foundations to navigate this back-to-school season.
Practical Challenges at the Start of the School Year
Separated parents face unique logistical and communication hurdles when school begins. Some common issues include:
School Communication – Such as communicating with the school administration or the child’s teacher. Ensuring both parents are listed as emergency contacts, have access to online portals, and receive notices about conferences and events.
Logistics – Such as coordinating transportation, clarifying who can pick up the child (grandparents, caregivers, or new partners), and managing after-school activities.
Ensuring Consistency for the Child – Such as establishing routines for homework, bedtime, and activities and attempting to apply those routines across households. This also includes ensuring that the child has appropriate access to supplies, clothes, and devices, which should be available in both homes to avoid conflict.
Common Disputes and How to Avoid Them
Two of the most common disputes at this time of year are:
Decision-Making Conflicts – Such as school choice disputes, including where one parent prefers public school and the other prefers private school.
Scheduling Conflicts – Such as scheduling extracurricular activities, which have a tendency to overlap with custodial time.
While there is no cure-all to resolving these types of disputes, a common-sense approach is generally the preferred path. In most instances, a resolution to disputes starts with communication. Communicating a concern to the other parent where the issue is delineated and a resolution is proposed is often the best first course of action. Similarly, responding to a communication that outlines a dispute and doing so in a timely fashion is essential. Too often, disputes develop out of procrastination. When disputes arise in cases, keeping in mind the following tips can help you defuse a situation quickly and effectively:
Use co-parenting apps to manage scheduling and communication.
Keep all discussions focused on the child.
Support the child’s needs. Transitions can be stressful for kids and no time is that more apparent than back-to-school. This is heightened during the time of separation. Understanding these stressors while relying on support systems in place.
Keep records. Document schedules, communications, and expenses. Clear records can prevent disputes and protect you if issues arise.
If conflicts escalate, consider contacting an appropriate professional for advice prior to making your next move. Oftentimes, your agreement or custody order may require the involvement of a parent coordinator or may require that you submit your dispute to a qualified mediator before escalating the issue to court. Understanding these requirements is critical.
When Legal Help Is Needed
Unfortunately, some disputes can’t be resolved without legal action. You may need to turn to the court for assistance when:
The custody order no longer works with the child’s school schedule, whether that is due to the exchange times, commute needs, extracurricular requirements, or otherwise.
A parent makes unilateral decisions related to the child, such as enrolling the child in a different school.
Co-parenting devolves to an ineffective point whereby the child is disadvantaged.
Often, allowing circumstances that are disadvantaging your child to continue is not the best course of action. When you believe you have reached this point, you should consider speaking with an experienced Maryland family law attorney who can help with establishing a custody agreement, or help you with the enforcement, modification, or clarification of an existing custody agreement or custody order.
Final Thoughts
Back-to-school season is always a transition, but for separated families, it requires extra care. By following your custody order, communicating effectively, and prioritizing your child’s needs, you can reduce conflict and provide stability during this important time. If you’re facing challenges related to custody and school issues, I invite you to reach out for a consultation. Together, we can work toward solutions that keep your child’s well-being front and center.
Do You Know What to Do if Your Car is Submerged in Water?
Every year, 350-400 people die in submersed vehicles in North America, with these deaths accounting for up to 10% of all drownings. Vehicle submersion has the highest fatality rate of any type of single-vehicle accident. Most of these incidents are survivable, as vehicles usually hit the water in an upright position, causing, at most, non-disabling injuries; in these cases, death results from either ineffective or no self-rescue actions by the victim(s). Perhaps more commonly, flash floods can catch drivers by surprise, trapping them in their cars as floodwaters rush past.
If you find yourself in a sinking car, the natural reaction may be to panic. This is the worst thing you can do. From the moment your car begins to submerge into the water, you need to quickly make important decisions.
Stay Calm and Act Quickly
Take a deep breath and focus
Unbuckle your Seatbelt
Release the seatbelt immediately
Open or Break a Window
If electric windows fail, break a window. You can use your headrest.
Escape Through the Window
Exit through the window
Swim to Safety
Once out, swim to the surface and away from the vehicle
Vehicle occupants should not call 911, wait for the car to fill up with water, or do anything else that would delay them from getting to safety as quickly as they can, experts say.
What Is Turn Around Don’t Drown™ (TADD)?
Turn Around Don’t Drown™ (TADD) is a National Weather Service campaign to warn people of the hazards of walking or driving a vehicle through flood waters.
Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather-related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. Why? The main reason is that people underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn that the road is flooded.
What Happens When Your Car Hits the Water?
If a car leaves the roadway and lands in deep water, most passenger vehicles will float on the surface for 30 seconds to several minutes. However, if the water is deeper than the body of the car, it will sink!
A vehicle with open windows and/or doors will sink faster than the same one with windows and/or doors closed. If a vehicle has all of its windows and doors closed, it will initially descend slowly, but as the car loses buoyancy, the speed of descent will increase.
Whether driving or walking, any time you come to a flooded area, Turn Around Don’t Drown®.
Don’t underestimate the power of water. Six inches of fast-moving water can knock over and carry away an adult. Twelve inches of fast-moving water can carry away a small car. Eighteen to twenty-four inches of water can carry away most large SUVs, vans, and trucks.
Think clearly and act quickly. A typical car floats for 30 to 120 seconds before completely submerging. Your actions in the first two minutes will help you escape your vehicle.
Tip 2: Roll Down All the Windows
When your car hits the water, roll down the windows. This is your exit route. Do this before the waterline rises above the height of the windows. The pressure of the water may prevent windows from rolling down, even if you have automatic windows. Do not try to break the windshield. The windshield is the thickest glass in the car and will be extremely difficult to break from inside the vehicle.
Tip 3: Take Off Your Seatbelt
Take your seatbelt off quickly, so you are able to move freely inside the car. Cut your seatbelt if you need to.
Tip 4: Assist Other Passengers
Check on passengers, especially children. Unlatch restraints on the car seat and help older children unbuckle their seatbelts. Instruct them to exit through the car window closest to them or bring them to the front seat to exit with you.
Tip 5: Climb Through the Window and Swim to Safety
Climbing out the window is easiest when the waterline is still below the car window. If water is past the window, you will still be able to climb out. Hold your breath, come to the surface, and swim away from the vehicle. If you have a small child with you in the front seat, put them through the window first and follow after them to assist them to the surface.
What to Avoid Doing When Your Car is Sinking
Do not open the doors. It may be your first survival instinct when your car hits the water to try to open the car door to get out of the vehicle, but this will only cause the vehicle to sink more rapidly. It is extremely difficult to open a car door with water in front of it.
Do not wait for the car to fill with water. When the car starts sinking under the water, the water pressure outside the car will make opening the car door virtually impossible, no matter how strong you are. You may have been advised to wait until the car fully fills up with water for the pressure on the inside and outside of the car to equalize. The idea here is that when the pressure equalizes, the car door can be opened with ease for escape. While this may be true, the inside and outside pressure will not equalize immediately after the car is submerged. You may be forced to hold your breath and hope you can open the door and escape before you run out of time.
When to Take Caution
The National Weather Service advises people to watch for warnings of potential hazards.
“Take Action!” When These Products Are Issued
Warnings or advisories for the events below are issued when confidence is greater than 80% that an event will occur. Depending on the type of event, these may be issued anywhere from hours before an event to days in advance of an event.
Flash Flood Warning
Flood Warning
Flood Advisory
Coastal/Lakeshore Hazardous Message
Special Weather Statement
“Be Prepared” When These Products Are Issued
Watch products associated with flooding are typically issued within a day or more of the event. The types of events are listed below. The confidence level for an event to occur when a watch is issued is 50-80%. When a watch is issued, you should begin to gather more information about the situation and determine what actions you will need to take should a warning be issued.
Flash Flood Watch
Flood Watch
What To Do Next
If the accident was caused by another driver, a car accident lawyer can help you determine who is truly liable for the accident. Insurance companies will do all they can to get you to say something that gives them an excuse to pay you less money. If an insurance agent calls, you can say “talk to my lawyer.”
Anyone can become a victim. Whether you are a driver or a passenger, there are important steps to take to remove yourself from a sinking car to safety. Remember to stay calm, keep the doors closed, and lower the windows to climb through. Try to assist any passengers in the car if you are able and if they need help. Following these steps will significantly increase your chances of escaping a sinking car and reaching safety.
The start of a new school year can be stressful for any family, and even more so for separated or divorced parents. In this episode of JGL LAW FOR YOU, attorney Christopher Castellano joins Lindsay Parvis to share practical strategies for navigating back-to-school transitions when custody orders, parenting plans, and communication challenges come into play. From handling morning drop-offs and online school portals to managing emergency contacts, extracurriculars, and legal considerations, Chris offers insights to reduce stress and prioritize kids’ best interests. Whether you have an existing custody order or are newly separated, this conversation provides helpful tools for creating consistency, improving co-parent communication, and starting the school year with confidence and stability.
JGL lawyers have once again been recognized as leading lawyers in their fields by Best Lawyers, a prestigious honor based entirely on peer review. Sixteen JGL attorneys were named to The Best Lawyers in America list, and two attorneys were honored in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch category, which celebrates outstanding early-career lawyers who have been in private practice for less than 10 years.
As the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, Best Lawyers is widely regarded as a benchmark for excellence. Its rigorous and transparent methodology is based on confidential evaluations from leading lawyers within the same geographical and practice areas.
The JGL attorneys recognized on the lists include:
The Best Lawyers in America
David Bulitt
Collaborative Law: Family Law
Family Law
Family Law Mediation
Jeffrey N. Greenblatt
Family Law
Andrew E. Greenwald
Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Jeffrey Hannon
Family Law
Jay P. Holland
Appellate Practice
Qui Tam Law
Civil Rights Law
Employment Law – Individuals
Drew LaFramboise
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions
Timothy F. Maloney
Appellate Practice
Employment Law – Individuals
Employment Law – Management
Jerry D. Miller
Corporate Law
Real Estate Law
Veronica Nannis
Commercial Litigation
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
Roy Niedermayer
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Timothy P. O’Brien
Trusts and Estates
Lindsay Parvis
Collaborative Law: Family Law
Family Law
Family Law Arbitration
Family Law Mediation
Steven M. Pavsner
Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Paul F. Riekhof
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Michal Shinnar
Civil Rights Law
Employment Law – Individuals
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Erika Jacobsen White
Employment Law – Individuals
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
Bridget Cardinale
Civil Rights Law
Commercial Litigation
Kevin Redden
Appellate Practice
Commercial Litigation
As the new school year kicks off in Maryland, DC and Virginia, streets throughout our area are getting busier.
Children walking or bicycling to class
School buses making frequent stops
Newly licensed teen drivers
The Problem
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 104 people died in school-transportation-related crashes in 2022 in the United States. From 2013 to 2022 more than 1,000 people died in school-transportation-related crashes, and 198 of those were children aged 18 and younger.
Of those children killed:
40% were occupants of other vehicles
38% were pedestrians
18% were occupants of school transportation vehicles
3% were bicyclists
1% were using personal devices such as skateboards, scooters and wheelchairs
Some of the highly publicized accidents involved school buses. In 2023, school bus-related crashes killed 128 people nationwide, up 23% compared to the 104 deaths in 2022, according to National Safety Council (NSC) tabulations of data from the NHTSA.
Of the people injured in school bus-related crashes from 2014 to 2023, approximately 34% were school bus passengers, 9% were school bus drivers, and 52% were occupants of other vehicles. The remainder were pedestrians, pedalcyclists, and other or unknown.
According to the 2024 Virginia Crash Facts report, crashes involving school buses reveal vital safety trends. Out of 584 reported school bus crashes last year:
173 resulted in injuries—though thankfully, there were zero fatalities
157 were school bus passengers, with children aged 10-14 being the most affected group (64 injuries)
Vision Zero Program
Fortunately, Maryland, DC and Virginia have all implemented their own versions of the international program known as Vision Zero.
Begun in the 1990’s, this transportation safety strategy is aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries. The approach is proactive, viewing traffic deaths as preventable, rather than inevitable. The goal is to prioritize the safety of all road users by designing transportation systems that account for human error and vulnerability, to ensure that if mistakes do happen, the result is not death or serious injury.
This approach is a new vision for safety.
Traditional Approach
vs.
Vision Zero
Traffic deaths are inevitable
vs.
Traffic deaths are preventable
Perfect human behavior
vs.
Integrate human failing in approach
Prevent collisions
vs.
Prevent fatal and severe crashes
Individual responsibility
vs.
Systems approach
Saving lives is expensive
vs.
Saving lives is not expensive
Vision Zero utilizes a Safe System Approach, which designs a road system to account for human mistakes and minimize the impact of crashes. Achieving the desired results means implementing comprehensive strategies across the five “E’s:”
Engineering – Infrastructure design and roadway improvements to reduce speed, increase visibility, and separate different modes of transportation. Examples include curb extensions, pedestrian islands, bike lanes, and roundabouts.
Enforcement – Targeted police enforcement and automated speed cameras in high crash locations aimed to deter dangerous behaviors like speeding, distraction, and impairment.
Education – Safety campaigns and training to promote safe walking, biking, driving, and public transit use. Education raises awareness of key issues and risky behaviors.
Engagement – Partnering with community groups and stakeholders can promote Vision Zero and gather input on priorities and solutions. Engagement ensures community ownership.
Evaluation – Continuous data analysis and assessment of existing conditions, progress on actions, and impact of improvements enable an evidence-based approach.
Vision Zero focuses on three main areas:
Safe speed limits
Safe street design
Safe speed technology
Safe Speed Limits
Managing speeds is the number one priority. Higher speed increases kinetic energy, which leads to more severe crash impacts, resulting in more injuries and fatalities. The human body can only tolerate so much force in a crash. Higher speeds are greater risks for people with lower physical tolerance, such as the young and elderly.
Impact of Car Crash on Human Body
The likelihood of death for people walking if hit at these speeds:
Previously, the focus of the U.S. transportation system was to maximize speedy movement of vehicles rather than safe movement of people. This disproportionately affects low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, which are overburdened with high traffic roads and limited sidewalks and other safety features. The focus has been moving vehicles efficiently to minimize congestion. Vision Zero focuses on moving people safely. Small design changes near schools can make a big difference, for example:
Narrowing travel lanes, which encourages slower driving speeds
Reducing the number of travel lanes, possibly replaced by dedicated left-turn pockets and/or bike lanes
Buffered or protected bike lanes, which are physically separated from travel lanes with posts, planters, etc.
Green-painted “crossbikes” (essentially crosswalks for bicyclists)
Adding high-visibility painted crosswalks
Lowering posted speed limits (from 30/25 to 20 mph)
Example: Installing left-turn calming speed bumps at an intersection can reduce drivers’ speeds when making a turn, as well as improving their visibility of pedestrians crossing the street. Adding the middle bump to the crosswalk can lower the speed of left turning vehicles by changing the trajectory of turn.
Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) is a safety technology that alerts drivers when they exceed specific speeds. Already in use and proven to improve safety in other nations, ISA is a prime example of a Safe System Approach that manages speeds at a fundamental level, reducing the likelihood and severity of speed-related crashes, injuries and deaths. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommends ISA in all vehicles, as is required in the European Union.
Speed Safety Cameras – when well designed, operated and monitored – can deter high speeds, reduce crashes and lessen the severity of injuries when crashes do occur. They are widely used internationally and in more than 240 U.S. communities, resulting in reductions of roadway injuries and fatalities ranging from 20% to 37%.
Coordinate Signal Timing, optimize safer speeds– use of retimed signals on a major commercial corridor to improve traffic flow and enhance safety, particularly for the many walking and biking trips. Traffic signals were timed at a steady speed of 13 mph, reducing stop-and-go movements for people biking and improving safety for all street users, while also improving overall travel times during peak hours.
Increase Speed Limit Signage – increase the density of speed limit signs from a frequency of every 1 to 1.5 miles in each direction to a new standard of every quarter mile in each direction. These low-cost, low-effort changes resulted in reductions in crashes and in high-end speeding.
Speed Feedback Signs – dynamic display speeds of approaching vehicles and/or display messages such as “Reduce Speed” when a driver exceeds a certain speed. Analysis shows small but valuable decreases in speeds.
Vision Zero Maryland
MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program works to encourage and enable children to walk and bike to school safely through education, outreach and building safe infrastructure around schools. The program offers activities and events that focus on pedestrian and bicycle safety. The program offers free resources to get schools, parents and community groups started. SRTS programs are federally funded to support efforts by community members and governments to enable and encourage children to safely walk, roll, or bicycle to school. Federal funds allocated to this program are reimbursable and available for infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects that benefit elementary and middle school children.
The main purpose of the Vision Zero Maryland program is:
To enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk, roll, and bicycle to school
To make bicycling, walking, and rolling to school a safer more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging an active lifestyle
To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects that will improve school safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and pollution in the vicinity of school
The program is administered by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA). Eligible sponsors may apply for funding to support infrastructure and non-infrastructure activities that encourage children to safely walk, bicycle or roll to school. Federal funds allocated to this program must benefit elementary and middle school children in grades K-8 and must have a 20% cash match contribution.
For example, in 2024, Montgomery County used small-scale interventions and expanded its efforts across high-injury network (HIN) corridors by launching 127 safety projects including 29 new bikeways and nearly seven miles of new sidewalks. These features were installed at targeted intersections:
Traffic signals
Pedestrian hybrid beacons
New bikeways
New sidewalks
Together, these targeted improvements contributed to a 28% reduction in serious and fatal crashes on HIN corridors—roads that make up just 3% of the county’s network but account for 41% of severe crashes—compared to pre-COVID years. This success proves that scaling up focused, data-driven safety interventions can lead to sustained improvements, saving lives and reducing crashes over time. Montgomery County’s Vision Zero initiative exemplifies how a strategic, proactive approach can have a significant, long-term impact on road safety.
Vision Zero Virginia is a program focused on eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by adopting a proactive, system-level approach to traffic safety. It recognizes that traffic deaths and severe injuries are preventable and aims to create a safe transportation system for all, regardless of how people make mistakes.
Every school day, nearly one million Virginia students are transported to and from school, field trips, athletic events and other school-related activities on the more than 15,000 school buses operated by the Commonwealth’s school divisions. The safety of these students is a responsibility shared by school bus drivers, school divisions, parents, the Virginia Department of Education, and the Virginia Department of Transportation. Most counties in Virginia have a low or below-average fatality concentration level. However, areas surrounding Richmond, Virginia Beach, Charlottesville, and Northern Virginia have above average and high fatality concentration levels.
Example – Arlington, VA
After a public hearing, the Arlington County Board adopted its first five-year Vision Zero Action Plan in May 2021. This decision set a roadmap for the effort to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the county by 2030. Arlington installed quick, tactical on-street safety improvements such as centerline hardening using flexible posts and mini speed humps.
As a result, the rate of vehicles crossing the centerline dropped from 38% to 5% and the percentage of drivers turning at less than 10 mph rose from 10% to 26%.
In the first year of the Vision Zero initiative, Arlington had four fatal and 61 severe crashes. The overall number of collisions was lower than in previous years. However, the county attributes the overall crash reduction to reduced traffic levels during the pandemic. The county tracks progress by analyzing factors involved in severe crashes, such as speed, alcohol impairment, and collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists.
Some accomplishments from the first year include:
Completing 36 small-scale safety projects
Analyzing 69 high-crash locations
Facilitating 55 transportation safety classes and events
Coordinating with VDOT to identify more than 20 safety fixes
Approving speed cameras in school and work zones
In the second year, the number of collisions in Arlington decreased from 65 to 54. While the number of fatalities remained the same, the number of severe crashes went down to 49.
The District of Columbia and Mayor Muriel Bowser launched Vision Zero in 2014 to inspire and transform DC’s roadway safety efforts and set sights on a goal of zero fatalities or serious injuries on DC streets. Since then, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has shifted to designing streets that are safe for everyone, working closely with community members to identify problems and build solutions.
Launched in 2005, the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program receives federal and local funds to encourage and facilitate active transportation for school children. In 2022, the Council of the District of Columbia passed the Safe Streets for Students Amendment Act with the goal to improve transportation safety infrastructure around schools, giving the SRTS team additional funding and direction towards improving school areas in DC.
This year, as part of the Annual Safety Program (ASAP), DDOT will rapidly deploy multi-modal safety improvements at multiple locations across DC. They include pedestrian safety improvements, Highway Safety Improvement Program locations, pedestrian flashers, and driver feedback signs.
DC allows residents to submit a Traffic Safety Input request (TSI) via 311. These requests will be prioritized based on objective factors such as roadway characteristics, crash patterns, equity, proximity to Vision Zero High Injury Network corridors, and locations utilized by vulnerable road users such as schools, Metrorail stations, and bus stops.
The TSI 311 service can be used to report issues such as:
Traffic safety issues around schools
Safety concerns for pedestrians, people biking, or taking transit
Unmarked or marked crosswalks that appear unsafe (maintenance for existing markings should be put in under the 311 request, Roadway Striping / Markings)
Concerns about speeding drivers or speed limits in general (Note: DDOT’s policy on speed limits is 20 MPH for local roads and may vary for arterial and collector roadways)
As one of the leading agencies, the DDOT has rapidly deployed multi-modal safety improvements at multiple locations across DC. Installed safety projects and devices include:
Leading pedestrian intervals
Left-turn traffic calming
Curb extension
HAWK signals
No turn on red
Bus priority projects
Dual turn lane mitigation
Automated traffic enforcement
Bike lanes and trails
Visit Vision Zero DC to learn more about these safety interventions.
Conclusion
Whether your child walks, rides, rolls, or takes the bus to school, safely moving children to and from school is a number one parental concern.
School zones are high-risk, high-responsibility environments. According to the National Safety Council, children are among the most vulnerable pedestrians — and most at risk during pick-up/drop-off times. Meanwhile, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that most school-age pedestrian fatalities occur between 6 to 8 a.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. — right when school traffic peaks. Vision Zero brings schools a new lens: instead of just enforcing rules, design systems where the consequences of mistakes are less severe.
If your child gets hurt while traveling to or from school or is involved in a school bus accident, we can help. We have been representing families like yours for more than 50 years. Please contact us for a free case evaluation.
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In an article published by The Daily Record on August 11, 2025, Drew LaFramboise discusses a class action lawsuit filed by JGL, alleging a predatory lending scheme in which a realty company provides modest loans to homeowners who agree to hire the company in the future — without disclosing high future costs, lost home equity, and clouded titles.
The lawsuit, filed in Maryland federal court, details how Florida-based MV Realty misled homeowners into signing long-term “homeowner benefit agreements” that effectively functioned as 40-year liens on their properties and which the homeowners could only cancel by paying about three percent of their home’s value.
Notably, MV Realty is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, although the company has been barred from operating in several states over the past year due to violations of state consumer protection laws. Instead, suit was filed against Monroe Capital Corporation, a private equity firm that allegedly provided a loan allowing MV Realty to scale nationwide. Monroe has not been subject to litigation for its role in the scheme until now.
“It’s a classic predatory scheme. It’s preying on people who need money fast, hiding the onerous terms in the agreement,” said Drew, who represents the plaintiffs in the case along with JGL Senior Counsel Lacey McMullan.
The complaint brings claims under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), the Sherman Antitrust Act, and state consumer protection laws. The plaintiffs aim to represent a class of more than 38,000 homeowners whose properties were encumbered by homeowner benefit agreements or who paid penalties to cancel them.
“Monroe was not just a passive investor,” Drew said. “They didn’t just throw money at this and take their hands off the wheel.”
In an article published on August 6, 2025, by WJLA ABC News 7, Timothy Maloney discussed the likelihood of a federal takeover of Washington, D.C., following an attack on a man identified as a former Department of Government Oversight and Enforcement (DOGE) employee.
While a full federal intervention in D.C. may seem unlikely, Tim explained that there are still legal avenues available to the President.
“I think it’s a lot of chest-beating on the part of the President, but the fact is that there are things the president can do to put pressure on the local government, such as taking over the police department or pressuring Congress to nullify some laws,” Tim said. “For instance, Congress nullified the DC criminal revisions, criminal code revision, a few years ago. So the federal government is not without power, and the reason is that the District of Columbia is a federally created district. It’s been that way since 1789.”
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