(October 25, 2011) – What day is it when commuters will confront the powers of good and evil on their way home?  Next Monday evening as commuters are driving from work, witches, warlocks, fairies and wizards will take to the streets in the annual Halloween trick-or-treat tradition. Unfortunately, the results could end in tragedy.  As dusk falls earlier, both cars and pedestrians will be more difficult to spot on statewide roadways.  “See and be seen” is the message from the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA), which offers Vests for Visibility to those in costume and their chaperones.

SHA’s Vests for Visibility lends reflective safety vests to parents– free of charge. Combine the vest with a hard hat, a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and boots to make a new costume or place the reflective vests over children’s costumes. The vests will be available in most counties at many SHA Maintenance facilities each day Thursday, October 27, Friday, October 28 and Monday, October 31 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Reflective vests will be issued on a first come, first served basis and must be returned by Friday, November 4. 

“There is no contest between a car and a child – even one wearing a power cape or waving a magic wand. Our mission this Halloween is to remind everyone – whether driving home from work, traveling to Halloween festivities or simply watching over trick-or-treaters to follow the rules of the road,” said Deputy Transportation Secretary and Acting SHA Administrator Darrell Mobley. “Unfortunately, on average about 100 pedestrians are killed every year in traffic crashes in Maryland. Even if you don’t take the opportunity to borrow one of the vests being offered, please have a conversation with your family about the importance of the ‘see and be seen message’ – lives depend on it.” 

SHA offers more safety tips for motorists and trick-or-treaters to ensure everyone has a safe Halloween:

TIPS FOR MOTORISTS:

• Stop for pedestrians – Maryland law requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks and intersections.
• Obey the speed limit. Speeding only makes it more difficult to stop unexpectedly. 
• Motorists should be more cautious during peak trick-or-treating hours between 4 and 9 p.m.
• Enter and exit driveways slowly.
• Be alert for children darting across the street.
• Watch for children crossing between parked cars.
• When driving children to and from different activities, make sure all seat belts are fastened and let children out of the car on the curbside.
• Never drink and drive.  Designate a sober driver.

TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS:     

• Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.
• Cross at crosswalks or intersections.
• Be sure to see and be seen. Avoid dark clothing, wear bright colors and use reflective devices such as vests and blinking lights.
• Avoid costumes that may impair vision.
• Make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street.
• Stay alert and be on the lookout for cars traveling above the speed limit.
• On average, every day in Maryland, there are at least 258 crashes causing 130 injuries and at least one death. SHA encourages everyone to B-SAFE: Buckle up, Slow down, Always drive sober, Focus, and Everyone share the road. For more tips and information regarding driving, biking and pedestrian safety, please log onto www.choosesafetyforlife.com. 

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2011 Vests for Visibility Participating SHA Maintenance Shops
 
Anne Arundel County

Glen Burnie Shop
910 Stewart Ave
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
410-766-3770

Annapolis Shop
138 Defense Highway
Annapolis, MD  21401
410-841-1009

Baltimore County

Hereford Shop
306 Mount Carmel Road
MD 137 & I-83
Parkton, MD 21120
410-329-6752

Owings Mills Shop
9130 Dolfield Road
Owings Mills, MD 21117
410-363-1315

Golden Ring Shop
8375 Pulaski Highway
Rosedale, MD 21237
410-574-4511

Calvert County

Prince Frederick Shop
100 Hallowing Point Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
410-535-1748

Caroline County
Denton Shop
508 Caroline Street
Denton, MD 21629
410-479-0770

Carroll County

Westminster Shop
150 Wyndtryst Drive
Westminster, MD 21157
410-876-2061

 

Cecil County

Elkton Shop
2024 E. Old Philadelphia Road
Elkton, MD  21922
410-398-1565

Charles County
LaPlata Shop
5725 Washington Ave.
LaPlata, MD 20646
301-934-8031

Dorchester County
Cambridge Shop
750 Handley Road
Cambridge, MD 21701
410-228-4977

Frederick County

Frederick Shop
5111 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, Md. 21701
301-624-8251

Thurmont Shop
67 Moser Road
Thurmont, Md. 21788
301-271-7787

Harford County
Churchville Shop
3050 Churchville Road
Churchville, MD 21028
410-838-7788

Howard County
Dayton Shop
4401 MD 32
Dayton, MD 21036
410-531-5533

Kent County
Chestertown Shop
615 Morgnec Road
Chestertown, MD 21620
410-778-0818

Montgomery County
Fairland Shop
12020 Plum Orchard Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20904
301-572-5166

Gaithersburg Shop
502 Quince Orchard Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20760
301-948-2477

Prince George’s County

Laurel Shop
400 Second Street
Laurel, MD 20810
301-776-7619

Marlboro Shop
6500 S.E. Crain Highway
Upper Marlboro, Md. 20870
301-952-0555

Queen Anne’s County
Centreville Shop
111 Safety Drive
Centreville, MD  21617
410-758-0700

Talbot County
Easton Shop
8265 Ocean Gateway
Easton, Maryland  21601-0745
410-822-3525

 
Wicomico County
Salisbury Shop
660 West Road
Salisbury, MD 21802
410-677-4050

 
Worcester County

Snow Hill Shop
5630 Market Street
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-0511

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