MCDOT Offers Tips for a Safe Halloween

 

Ensure that trick or treaters have a safe and fun Halloween by sharing these safety tips:

• Always use the crosswalk
• Cross with the “walk” Symbol
• Make eye contact with drivers
• Walk without texting
• Look for cars in all directions before crossing
• Wear BRIGHT at NIGHT

Be SAFE…Be SEEN on Halloween!

Street Smart Launches Fall Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Campaign

The regional Street Smart pedestrian and bicyclist safety initiative is promoting safety this fall with stepped up enforcement of traffic laws and public education throughout the region. Safety experts warn that the end of daylight savings time brings darker evening commuting hours and greater risks for pedestrians and bicyclists. Read more.

Montgomery County Receives $244,000 to Encourage Safe Driving

According to a recent article in the Baltimore Sun by Colin Campbell, the Montgomery County Police Department received $235,000 and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office received $9,000 in federal grants to encourage safe driving. This follows a report that roadway deaths in Maryland increased by 17 percent in 2015.

Jewish Council on the Aging Wins National Award for Street Smart Tired Faces Senior Focused Pedestrian Safety Campaign; MCDOT a Partner

The Jewish Council on the Aging (JCA) received bronze level recognition for its Senior Focused Pedestrian Safety campaign from the National Mature Media Awards. The Montgomery County departments of Transportation, Health and Human Services and Public Information Office were partners in the campaign. Read more.

Al Roshdieh Joins Regional Leaders at Launch of Spring Street Smart Campaign

Spring is in full swing, and Washington-area residents are enjoying warmer weather, which means more people walking and biking. Transportation officials from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, including Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Director Al Roshdieh, gathered in Silver Spring to urge drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists to exercise caution, watch out for each other, and follow traffic safety laws.

The event marks the launch of the spring Street Smart public awareness and enforcement campaign. To drive home the call for safety, police departments throughout the D.C. area will support the campaign with increased enforcement of traffic laws that protect people walking and biking. 
From April 11 to May 8, regional law enforcement will step up their efforts to identify and ticket drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists who break traffic safety laws. Violations such as failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, running red lights, or jaywalking can result in fines up to $500. In addition, drivers may receive points on their driver record.

“It only takes one moment of inattention to have devastating consequences,"said MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh, "and that is why everyone -- drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists -- all who use our roads need to look out for each other. The County is committed to improving multimodal connections, making walking and biking safer, improving access for bus riders and reexamining road design with a view towards developing better options for all users. Our efforts are succeeding. Over the last five years, the average number of pedestrian fatalities in Montgomery County declined by 38 percent."

The Street Smart campaign kickoff took place at the Paul S. Sarbanes Silver Spring Transit Center, a multi-modal transit hub, serving pedestrians, bicyclists, bus riders, and train passengers. The Silver Spring Metrorail Station serves about 13,000 rail customers each weekday, and 24 bus routes serve the Transit Center, providing transportation service to more than 70,000 riders per day in Maryland and the District.

The Street Smart campaign offers safety tips for all travelers (see below). In an effort to prevent pedestrian and bicyclist deaths and injuries, the campaign partners media with enforcement to encourage all drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians to be alert, follow traffic safety laws, and stay safe. 
To learn more about Street Smart, visit BeStreetSmart.net and follow us on twitter.com/COGStreetSmart. 

Spring Means More Walking and Biking: Follow These Tips to Stay Safe

The flowers are blooming and the weather is getting warmer. Whether walking, biking, or driving — more people want to be outside.  Stay safe when spending time outdoors. The Street Smart campaign offers the following safety tips.

If you’re driving . . .

·         Look twice for people in crosswalks and yield to pedestrians and bicyclists.

·         Be careful when passing stopped vehicles.

·         Yield to pedestrians and cyclists at intersections when you're turning.

·         Allow three feet when passing bicyclists.

·         Look for cyclists and cars before you open your door.

·         Slow down and obey the speed limit. 

·         Avoid using your cell phone while driving. 

If you’re walking . . .

·         Cross the street at the corner and use marked crosswalks when they’re available.

·         Wait for the “Walk” signal to cross the street.

·         Before crossing look left, right, and left again.

·         Be seen! If you’re walking after dark or in bad weather, make it easier for drivers to see you by wearing light clothing or something reflective.

·         Don’t text while you’re crossing the street.

·         If you’re on an off-street trail, obey all posted signage and approach intersections with caution.

If you’re biking . . .

·         Obey all traffic signs and traffic lights.

·         Ride in the direction of traffic, at least a car-door-width away from parked cars.

·         Use hand signals so drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians know what you’re going to do.

·         Always wear a helmet.

·         Use lights if you’re riding in the dark.

·         If you’re on an off-street trail, obey all posted signage and approach intersections with caution.

Leggett Discusses Transportation Topics During December 15 Online Chat

During County Executive Ike Leggett’s online chat this month, he answered two transportation-related questions from the public: one about bicyclists obeying traffic laws and the other about building a new bridge to Virginia in northern Montgomery County. Read more. 

Public Safety Chiefs Urge Public to “Be Safer this Holiday Season;” Be Safe, Be Seen, Be Responsible

Police Chief Tom Manger and Fire Chief Scott Goldstein urged community members to “Be Safer this Holiday Season,” and to “Be Seen, Be Alert, and Be Responsible.” As of November 24, there have been 33 fatal traffic collisions in Montgomery County in which 34 people lost their lives. Read more.

Department of Liquor Control Promotes Local Designated Driving Program “Be My Designated Driver”

In an effort to help prevent drunk driving in Montgomery County, the Department of Liquor Control (DLC) is partnering with a local transportation service to offer $20 gift cards towards a designated driver this holiday season.

The “Be My Designated Driver” (Be My DD) program, the nation’s largest designated driver service, provides an alternative using professional drivers who drive your vehicle for you. Fully-screened and fully-insured, BeMyDD’s drivers have over 10 years of driving experience and arrive dressed in professional attire. Hourly personal driver services range from $14-$19.50 an hour (depending on location). BeMyDD also provides car pickup services for $25 plus mileage. Read more.

Go Montgomery - November 20, 2015

MCDOT, MCPD and MCPS Brief the County Council on the County’s Youth Pedestrian Safety Programs On November 17, the County Council invited County agencies responsible for youth pedestrian safety and school transportation to present an update on their activities. Read more. Regional Street Smart Campaign Offers Tips to Drivers, Pedestrians and Bicyclists on Staying Safe The region's Street Smart safety campaign is offering tips for staying safe this fall and winter. Every year, crashes involving pedestrians spike during October, November and December. Read more. MCDOT and DEP Remind Residents to Keep Leaves out of Storm Drains and Streams With Highway Services’ annual leaf vacuum collection program underway, both MCDOT and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) remind residents to help keep leaves out of storm drains.  Read more. MCDOT to Begin Constructing Needwood Road Bike Path The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), Division of Transportation Engineering (DTE), has begun construction of the Needwood Road Bike Path, located on the south side of Needwood Road from Redland Road to Deer Lake Road. Read more. New Capital Bikeshare Members Can Now Use Credit or Debit Cards as their "Key" Capital Bikeshare has unveiled a new feature that will provide faster access to its system for new members and make it more convenient for existing members. The innovative “Card as Key” feature allows new Capital Bikeshare members to immediately begin checking out bikes at any station in the system by using the credit or debit card they charged to purchase their membership. Previously, new members had to wait until they received their keys in the mail before they could begin riding. Read more. SHA Begins Drainage Project on Connecticut Avenue On November 30 (weather permitting), the State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin a drainage improvement project to construct new channel gutters along southbound Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase at the intersections of Woodbine Street and Blackthorn Street. The project will address community concerns about standing water after rainstorms. Read more. Tell FHWA You Want Safer Designs for City Streets Tuesday, November 17, 2015: Article by Angie Schmitt in Streetsblog USA - Click here www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot November 20, 2015 UPDATE ON HIGHWAY SERVICES RESURFACING PROJECTS Primary/Arterial Road Resurfacing Brickyard Road Completed Seven Locks Road In Progress Residential Resurfacing Clearspring Manor Completed  Kingswell Completed Norton Road Completed Spring Garden Estates Completed Greenwood Knolls Phase 1 In Progress Permanent Patching Blunt/Wayfarer Road Completed Glen Haven Completed Chestnut Hills In Progress Residential Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation West Chevy Chase Phase 2 Completed Aderleaf In Progress Chesney In Progress Residential Curbs and Sidewalks Stonebridge Subdivision Completed Carroll Knolls Subdivision Completed Manor Ridge Subdivision Completed Drain Repairs Sweepstakes Road In Progress Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, subscribe at any time on Subscriber Preferences Page. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.  Visit Go Montgomery to view more news.

MCDOT, MCPD and MCPS Brief the County Council on the County’s Youth Pedestrian Safety Programs

On November 17, the County Council invited County agencies responsible for youth pedestrian safety and school transportation to present an update on their activities. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) presented information about its successful Safe Routes to School program and YOLO campaign for high school students; Montgomery County Police (MCPD) presented information on the work of its School Safety Section and Crossing Guard Program; and Montgomery CountyPublic Schools (MCPS) discussed its transportation programs to get students safely to and from school. 

View the presentation below:

Regional Street Smart Campaign Offers Tips to Drivers, Pedestrians and Bicyclists on Staying Safe

The region's Street Smart safety campaign is offering tips for staying safe this fall and winter. Every year, crashes involving pedestrians spike during October, November and December. One of the major reasons for the increased risk is fewer hours of daylight.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 72 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur in darkness. That’s why everyone is reminded – drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists – to be more alert and obey traffic safety laws.

What should you do to stay safe?

• If you’re driving, slow down and yield to people in crosswalks.
• If you’re biking, obey signs and signals and ride in the direction of traffic.
• If you’re walking, cross in the crosswalk and wait for the walk signal.
• Fines for violating traffic safety laws can range from $40 to $500.

What should drivers do to keep pedestrians and bicyclists safe?

• Slow down, obey the speed limit, and watch out for people walking and biking.
• Stop for people in crosswalks.
• Check and recheck for pedestrians, especially before you make a turn.
• Give bicyclists room to ride – allow at least three feet when passing – it’s the law.

What should people be aware of when they are walking from place to place?

• Cross the street at crosswalks and wait for the “walk” signal.
• Watch for turning cars at intersections.
• Make eye contact with drivers before you cross in front of them.
• Wear something bright or reflective when it’s dark outside.

What about bicyclists?

• Be predictable and obey signs and signals.
• Ride in the direction of traffic.
• Wear a helmet and use lights at night.

Safety tips, campaign details and more information about the Street Smart program are available online at BeStreetSmart.net.