Mirmiran had contacted me after reading some of my columns. He thought we'd have something to talk about. We did.
It turns out that Mirmiran is well aware of the strides other countries -- notably Australia and some European nations -- have made in cutting their road deaths by half or more. We agree that Americans could stand to learn from others.
Mirmiran, who is chairman of the foundation, said he hopes the group -- which includes some politically savvy and well-heeled business leaders -- will be able to bring the governor, Senate president and House speaker together in support of an aggressive safety agenda.
That's how things get done in Maryland. Individual legislators offering incremental bills get shot down year after year. Then the Big Three agree on something big, and it happens.
Mirmiran said that setting up the foundation is his way of "paying back" after more than 40 years in the engineering business. He said the highway safety cause was a good fit because "I've worked hard to build safe highways."
And, like many in his profession, he wants to see the roads he builds used wisely.
The foundation is in its early stages, with no formal agenda or paid staff. But it would be great to see it establish itself as a force for change in an arena where many are wedded to the status quo.
A look at history
Yes, it's been 100 years since the General Assembly established the State Roads Commission, the predecessor of the State Highway Administration, with a mission of connecting Maryland's county seats with paved roads by 1915.
Well, it achieved that and somehow found a reason to continue its existence.
Congratulations are in order for Administrator Neil J. Pedersen and the employees of the SHA, whose labors to keep Maryland mobile are best appreciated by driving on the roads of neighboring states.
This month, a yearlong exhibit opened at the Baltimore Museum of Industry on Key Highway on the history of road building in Maryland. For most folks, it is less a must-see than it is one more reason to visit what is already one of the city's more interesting museums. But transportation history enthusiasts shouldn't miss it.
Enthusiastic response
Last week's column on the lax treatment of traffic offenders by some of our District Court judges received an enthusiastic response from readers.
Thanks to the readers who responded to the suggestion that it would be a public service if retirees with an interest in traffic safety sat in on court sessions and reported what they saw. Several volunteered, and I hope they will be in court soon -- helping to sort out the real judges from those who are mailing it in. There's plenty of room for more observers.
gettingthere@baltsun.com
