Reinforcement of Safe Driving Messages           
          
(November 26, 2008) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA), in conjunction with the Tri County Council of Southern Maryland, has begun a highway safety messaging campaign in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. Three SHA variable message signs have been dedicated exclusively for safety messages and will be rotated around different Southern Maryland state highways throughout the holiday season.           
          
Community Traffic Safety Program (CTSP) coordinators in each county will determine the locations and exact messages, which will reinforce SHA safe driving messages and campaigns such as Smooth Operator and Click It or Ticket. For more information about specific VMS locations and messages, contact any of the following CTSPs:          
          
Calvert County – Debbie Jennings, 410-535-2200          
Charles County – Rebecca Martin, 301-932-3056          
St. Mary’s County – Jackie Beckman, 301-475-4200, ext. 1850          
          
These efforts are part of the Choose Safety for Life campaign that provides one voice for drivers, motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and truckers. Virtually all traffic crash fatalities can be prevented if everyone practices these five key steps: B-SAFE – Buckle up, Slow down – speeding kills, Always drive sober, Focus, Everyone share the road. Learn more at www.choosesafetyforlife.com.          
          
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