Maryland State Highway Administration’s Vests for Visibility Program Promotes Pedestrian Safety during Halloween
(October 23, 2008) – Zombies and ghosts and gremlins – Oh my! On Friday, October 31, All Hallows Eve will cause witches and wizards, as well as Cinderellas and princes to crowd the streets in search of candy corn and lollipops. As parents, guardians and neighbors prepare for out stretched arms and anxious hands, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is preparing to keep busy feet in plain sight and safe with the Vests for Visibility program.
Vests for Visibility lends safety vests to parents or guardians – free of charge. The vests can be placed over children’s costumes, or it can be the costume along with a hard hat, a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, and boots. The vests will be available in most counties at many SHA Maintenance shops on Wednesday, October 29; Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day (please see the attached sheet for participating SHA shop locations). Reflective vests will be issued on a first come, first served basis. Vests must be returned by Friday, November 7.
“There is nothing more frightening than a bump in the night that involves a car and a pedestrian,” said SHA Administrator and Governor’s Highway Safety Representative Neil J. Pedersen. “We urge everyone to Choose Safety for Life this Halloween. Pedestrians must stay visible, cross at crosswalks and intersections, while drivers must remain alcohol-free, obey speed limits and remain vigilant for pedestrians.
SHA also 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 p.m. 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.
• Be sure to see and be seen. Avoid dark clothing, wear bright colors and use reflective devices such as vest and blinking lights.
• Avoid costumes that may impair vision.
• Avoid costumes that may impair vision.
• Make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street.
• Stay alert and be on the look out for cars traveling above the speed limit.
Every day in Maryland, there is at least 276 crashes, 161 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 Choose Safety for Life.com.
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2008 Vests for Visibility
Participating SHA Maintenance Shops
Anne Arundel County
Glen Burnie Shop
Stewart Ave
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
410-766-3770
Baltimore County
Hereford Shop
306 Mount Carmel Road
MD 137 & I-83
Parkton, MD 21120
410-329-6756
Owings Mills Shop
9130 Dolfield Road
Owings Mills, MD 21117
410-329-6756
Golden Ring Shop
8375 Pulaski Highway
Rosedale, MD 21237
410-574-4511
Calvert County
Prince Frederick Shop
MD 231 at MD 2/4
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
Charles County
LaPlata Shop
Washington Ave
LaPlata, MD 20646
301-934-8031
Dorchester County
Cambridge Shop
750 Handley Road
Cambridge, MD 21701
410-543-6923
Frederick County
Frederick Shop
5111 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, Md. 21701
301-624-8251
Thurmont Shop
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 Plumorchard 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
Talbot Avenue & Second Avenue
Laurel, MD 20810
301-776-7619
Marlboro Shop
6500 S.E. Crain Highway
Upper Marlboro, Md. 20870
301-952-0555
Somerset County
Princess Anne Shop
10980 Market Lane
Princess Anne, MD 21853
410-651-1333
Washington County
Hagerstown Shop
I-70 & MD 65
18320 Col. Henry Douglas Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21740
301-791-4790
Wicomico County
Salisbury Shop
660 West Road
Salisbury, MD 21802
410-677-4050
Worchester County
Snow Hill Shop
5630 Market Street
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-0511
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