Imagination Bethesda - A Huge Success!

The Montgomery County Pedestrian Safety Initiative participated in the 23^rd Annual Imagination Bethesda on June 3, 2017. This children’s street festival was a huge success and we were excited to be part of it.

Children and parents were invited to our tent to take the walk and drive safe pledge.

Pledging to walk safe means: 

• Always using crosswalks.
• Pushing the walk button and wait for the walk signal before crossing.
• Looking left, right, left before crossing the street.
• Establishing eye contact with drivers – see them see you!
• Wearing reflective and bright clothing while walking at night.

Pledging to drive safe means

• Be alert for pedestrians when driving.
• When approaching a crosswalk, reduce your speed and be prepared to stop.
•  When you are stopped at a crosswalk, allow enough room between your vehicle and the crosswalk so other drivers can see the pedestrians you have stopped for.
• Do not pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks. They may have stopped for a pedestrian to pass.

Our tent was filled with children and parents throughout the day decorating the pledge while discussing safety tips with our Pedestrian Safety team. After children and parents completed their pledges we hung them up on our crosswalk pledge banner. All participants received a variety of goodies including our green reflective drawstring bag, coloring books, and safety brochures.

We had so much fun and hope to see you next year!

 

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.

Staying Safe on East Gude Drive

Recently, the Pedestrian Safety Initiative Team gave a presentation to residents of the East Gude Drive Men’s Shelter on how to be safe pedestrians, use the pedestrian signal on Gude Drive, as well as listened to their concerns. There have been 18 collisions in the East Gude Drive area over the past five years and 12 of those collisions have occurred in the evening.

The team stressed the importance of staying visible after dark. Reflective zipper pulls were distributed to residents and staff and everyone was advised to always wear bright or reflective clothing at night. Reflective jackets were also distributed to shelter residents who regularly walk along Gude Drive at night.

This man is wearing the same coat! Special reflective ink
on the jacket is revealed by the headlights of a car.

Reflective Zipper Pull

Other important lessons shared with the residents included:

•          Cross the street in the crosswalk
•          Press the button on the pedestrian signal before crossing the street
•          Begin crossing the street on the “walk” signal
•          Make sure drivers stop before crossing the street
•          Be aware of drivers around you, especially those that are turning

Be Safe. Be Seen. Be Stylish.

Want to stay safe and look great? Below are some fashion forward options that will keep you visible during those dangerous dark winter months.

IllumNite makes retroreflective clothing that uses a special ink that allows for coverage that is hidden during the day, but revealed at night in the headlights for maximum safety. 

Day

Night

Tracer360 is an illuminated and reflective vest that includes multicolored LED fiber optics. 

  

Revolights bike lights casts 360 degrees of illumination, making it much easier for others to see the bike rider.

The New Balance Beacon Vazee Rush Beacon shoes stays visible with bright color accents and 360 degrees of reflectivity.

No matter what gear you use the hottest trend is staying safe! So grab a flashlight, reflective vest, arm band, zipper pull, or brightly colored jacket before you leave the house and stay safe this winter.

The (Safely) Walking Dead

The Montgomery County Pedestrian Initiative Team had a very frightening time at the Silver Spring Zombie Walk on October 24. The team passed out yellow glow sticks which kept the living and the undead safe and seen!  

There were many impressive costumes and lots of gory zombie makeup but what scared the team the most were the adults and children wearing all black costumes! Wearing all black is very dangerous because cars will have extreme difficulty seeing you at night. Halloween is no excuse. Always wear something bright and reflective when walking outside. 

Halloween Safety Tips:

·      Pick a costume with bright colors or reflective materials

·      Use a flashlight

·      Use a reflective trick or treat bag

How will you stay visible this Halloween?