Montgomery County’s Pedestrian Safety Team will be participating in several events in the upcoming months. Many of these events include entertainment, food, and themed activities for all ages and interests. Come visit our booth to learn more about pedestrian safety and receive a giveaway item that will enhance your safety!

April 23, 2016 (10:00am – 2:00pm)

Giant Germantown

Neelsville Village – Milestone

20944 N Frederick Rd

Germantown, MD 20876

April 30, 2016 (11:00am-4:00pm)

Greenfest

Takoma Park Community Center

7500 Maple Ave

Takoma Park, MD 20912

May 7, 2016 (6:00pm – 10:00pm)

La Milla de Mayo

Gaithersburg City Hall Grounds

31 S. Summit Ave
Gaithersburg, MD 20877

May 21, 2016 (10:00am – 3:00pm)

Strut Your Mutt 

Downtown Bethesda

June 4, 2016 (10:00am – 3:00pm)

Imagination Bethesda

Woodmont Ave/Elm Street

Bethesda, MD 20814

June 5, 2016 (11:00am – 5:00pm)

Taste of Wheaton

Wheaton Triangle

Corner of Grandview/Reedie Drive

Wheaton, MD 20902

June 11, 2016 (9:00am – 1:30pm)

Pike Central Farmers Market

6001 Executive Blvd

North Bethesda, MD 20852

June 12, 2016 (12:00pm – 5:00pm)

Celebrate Gaithersburg 

Gaithersburg City Hall Grounds

31 S. Summit Ave
Gaithersburg, MD 20877

It’s that time of year again! 

The flowers are blooming and the weather is getting warmer. Whether walking, biking, or driving — more people want to be outside on our streets.  Please be safe when spending time outdoors:

1. Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists and stop for them when they are walking, biking, or crossing the street.
2. Make eye contact with drivers. They may be looking at flowers too and could be distracted. Make sure they see you and stop before you cross the street.
3. When sidewalks aren’t available make sure you are facing traffic when walking and stay on the edge of the road, as far from cars as possible.
4. Don’t stand in the middle of the street! If you are taking pictures of the cherry trees make sure you are out of the road and in a safe place away from traffic.

Push the Button! Wait for the Walk Signal!

Using Push-Button Activated Traffic Signals

Most pedestrian signals will not automatically change to provide pedestrian crossings at locations with push buttons; the button must be pushed to activate the signals. Each intersection is timed differently according to its size and traffic/pedestrian patterns. Intersections have been studied and timed based on an average walking speed. Longer crossing times are provided at intersections used primarily by children and senior citizens.

So how do you do it?

(1) You must first press the pedestrian push-button. Waiting time will vary at each intersection.

(2) Wait for the WHITE, WALKING FIGURE symbol (or WALK signs on older signals) before you step off the curb into the street.

(3) Look both ways for moving and turning vehicles, then proceed with caution across the intersection, walking within the crosswalk.

(4) The ORANGE FLASHING HAND (or DONT WALK signs on older signals) alerts pedestrians that they may not start crossing the intersection, but may finish crossing if they have already started during the “WALK” indication.

(5) When the ORANGE HAND (or DONT WALK signs on older signals) stops flashing, traffic will begin to move across the crosswalk. Pedestrians should wait on the curb for the next WALK symbol to be activated by once again pushing the button.