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Queenstown officials and emergency responders warn gridlock can block ambulances after Rt. 50 crash
Summary
At a May 22 work session, Queenstown officials and local emergency responders said traffic backups from a May 1 fatal crash on Rt. 50 and Rt. 301 have left town streets liable to gridlock, potentially preventing fire and ambulance response; state rules limit officers' ability to block state roads, and the town is pursuing traffic‑calming and a letter to SHA.
President Thomas B. Willis, Jr. convened a May 22 work session with town leaders and emergency responders after a fatal crash May 1 that backed traffic up on Route 50 and Route 301, creating gridlock in Queenstown.
Lonnie Anthony of the Queenstown Volunteer Fire Department told commissioners that, had there been a need to dispatch a fire truck or ambulance during the backup, the department likely would not have been able to reach patients. "It's a serious concern and matter of public safety," Anthony said.
Commissioner Al Hardee said he witnessed a driver nearly strike a resident and later attempted to call for help but was told by the Maryland State Police there was nothing they could do. "That is a concern for the town," Hardee said.
First Sergeant Brian Gill of the Maryland State Police told the meeting that troopers are not permitted to block exits from state roads. Deputy Meil of the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Department said deputies on traffic detail during peak days do not prevent drivers from exiting Route 50, though the presence of officers can deter some drivers from leaving the highway. "By law, neither agency is permitted to block exit from state road," the deputy said.
Charles Coppage of the State Highway Administration reviewed enforcement options and speed data the Sheriff's Department has collected with a speed trailer. He warned that a permanent electronic speed sign placed in SHA right‑of‑way would require a permit from SHA's utilities office and cannot be mounted on existing SHA sign structures.
The commissioners and agency representatives agreed on a set of practical next steps: call the Sheriff's Department and/or MSP when traffic is gridlocked so officers can attempt to assist; explore placing a temporary speed trailer in problem areas; pursue a town‑owned electronic speed sign with the appropriate SHA permit if the town chooses to make it permanent; and consider writing to SHA Secretary of Transportation Pete Ryan to request guidance or action.
The meeting record shows no new change to state authority: local officers and troopers reiterated they lack legal authority to block state road exits, leaving traffic control largely to SHA traffic engineering and incident management resources.
