(August 20, 2014) - As we trade in sandy days spent at the beach and hot summer nights for school books and crisp autumn air, the Maryland State Highway (SHA) reminds parents to refresh themselves, and their children on the rules of the road. More than 500 children are involved in motor vehicle crashes each year on average. We can easily prevent tragedies and save lives by following the road rules and staying attentive.
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. Message signs have been posted reminding motorists to look out for school buses and pedestrians. The third E, enforcement, will be in full effect come fall, as well.
“Everyone has a role in back to school safety. As school starts, drivers should expect increased travel time for themselves and school buses and pedestrians, especially young children, on the road. Pedestrians need to be on the lookout for drivers and remember to look both ways before crossing,” says SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters.
When walking/biking to school:
• Use marked crosswalks and intersections to cross the road
• Before crossing the street look left, right, and then left again
• With the help of your parents, choose the quickest and safest route with the fewest street crossings
• Wear bright, reflective clothing to make yourself more visible to drivers
• Stay alert and follow signals
• If riding a bike, make sure to get off the bike at intersections and walk it across
Drivers should remember:
• Allow more time for your commute once school is in session
• Maryland law requires motorist to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, which exist at all intersections, even if they are not marked
• It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus while its lights are flashing and its stop arm is extended
• On undivided roadways, with no physical barrier or median, vehicles must stop on both sides of the roadway for school buses that are stopped
• Yellow / red flashing lights on a school bus mean that it is dropping off or picking up students
• Be aware of lowered speed limits in school zones
• Know that traffic fines can be doubled in school zones; some counties use automated enforcement / speed cameras
• Be on the lookout for all pedestrians, especially children, who are often unpredictable
• Make sure you and all your passengers are buckled up. In the event of an collision, your seat belt will be your biggest defense
Listed below are the start dates for each county’s public school system:
Allegany County- Monday August 25th
Anne Arundel County- Tuesday August 26th
Baltimore County- Wednesday August 27th
Calvert County- Tuesday August 19th
Caroline County- Tuesday August 26th
Carroll County- Monday August 25th
Cecil County-Thursday August 21st
Charles County- Monday August 25th
Dorchester County- Wednesday August 27th
Frederick County- Monday August 25th
Garrett County- Monday August 25th
Harford County- Monday August 25th
Howard County- Monday August 25th
Kent County-Tuesday August 26th
Montgomery County- Monday August 25th
Prince George’s County- Tuesday August 26th
Queen Anne’s County- August 26th
Somerset County- Monday August 25th
St. Mary’s County- Wednesday August 20th
Talbot County-Tuesday August 26th
Washington County- Wednesday August 20th
Wicomico County-Tuesday August 26th
Worcester County- Tuesday September 2nd
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