County Launches Pedestrian Safety Campaign Aimed at High School Students

The YOLO (You Only Live Once) education program to reduce teen pedestrian crashes was launched at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown where, in October 2012, 15-year-old Christina Morris-Ward was struck and killed as she distractedly crossed the street on her way to school. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, about half of students ages 15 to 19 say they use a cell phone when walking to school.

The YOLO campaign is a joint project of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation and Montgomery County Public Schools.

Attending the kick off was Christina’s mother Gwendolyn Ward and Seneca Valley High School students. Ward is working to prevent another tragedy from befalling any other teen by helping to educate students about the dangers of crossing the street while texting, listening to music or being otherwise distracted.

The event also highlighted the projects conducted this past school year under the “Walk Your Way” program that encouraged teens to apply for $2,000 grants to create and implement their own pedestrian safety campaigns at their school. More about the YOLO campaign is available online.