Traffic Safety Partners Issue Assignment for All Drivers and Pedestrians: A Safe School Year; Efforts Include Engineering Enhancements in School Zones
Households across the State are making the transition from summer vacations to the back-to-school daily grind. As parents prepare children with school supplies, fall clothing, and study skills, they need to add one more thing to the back to school checklist: reviewing the rules of the road. On average more than 500 children are involved in motor vehicle crashes each year in Maryland. Tragedies occur when drivers and pedestrians don’t know or follow the rules of the road. We can help save lives and make sure each child returns home safely by reviewing the “rules of the road.”
Leaders from the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA), AAA Mid-Atlantic, Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC), Baltimore County Police and Public Schools today gathered together with students at Randallstown Elementary School to help remind drivers and pedestrians of roadway basics. Whether a parent of a school-aged child or a daily commuter, each person has a role in back to school and pedestrian safety. The children and safety partners unveiled a new education campaign featuring a crab mascot who will share the “do’s” and “don’ts” to keep everyone safe. The crab, a Maryland icon introduced as part of the successful Ocean City Walk Smart! Campaign, will serve as the symbol for SHA’s and BMC’s new “Back to school” themed pedestrian education effort that will combine grassroots and mass marketing efforts.
“We want Maryland children to be safe when traveling to and from school. There is simply no contest between a car and a vehicle,” said The Honorable Adrienne Jones. “We all share the responsibility of getting children to school safely. Now is the time to take a refresher course in the rules of the road. There’s no room for aggressive driving when sharing the road with school buses and children walking and biking to school. Be patient and conservative.”
Through the three “E’s” of safety – engineering, education and enforcement ? partners are working together to ensure that children stay safe this school year. SHA engineers evaluated school zones along State routes throughout the summer, making adjustments and adding traffic devices such as crosswalks, signing and flashing lights where needed. “We cannot always be there to hold our children’s hands, but we can protect them by arming them with the information they need to navigate roads safely,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “Everyone needs to help spread the word that safety starts by walking smart and staying alert as well as sticking to the basics such as using crosswalks and looking left, right and left again.”
“At some point in the day everybody is a pedestrian, whether it’s walking to school or from the car to the office,” said Larry Klimovitz, executive director of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. “There needs to be an expectation of safety when we travel. Not just on highways, but the second we step outside, whether it’s our front door or our car door.” Pedestrians and drivers must both do their part to prevent crashes. The Baltimore Metropolitan Council is the organization of the region’s elected officials who are committed to identifying regional interests and developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs with the goal of improving the quality of life and economic vitality through
