(June 28, 2016) - As the Town of Ocean City prepares for the July 4th holiday and a busy beach weekend, State and local partners joined together to remind visitors and residents to: Walk Smart, Bike Smart and Drive Smart.  Ocean City Mayor Richard W. Meehan joined Deputy Administrator Greg Slater and District Engineer Donnie Drewer from the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA), Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro, and other key partners at Jolly Roger along Coastal Highway to officially launch the 2016 Ocean City Walk Smart! campaign.  Featuring the iconic crab mascot, the Ocean City Walk Smart! campaign combines engineering, education and enforcement to save lives and prevent injuries on Coastal Highway and other Ocean City roadways.  This year, partners are calling on the help of Ocean City residents and visitors in naming the crab through a social media poll on Facebook at https://apps.facebook.com/my-polls/form/oc-walk-smart-crab-naming-contest.

“The Ocean City Walk Smart! campaign underscores the Town of Ocean City's commitment to keeping its residents and visitors safe throughout the summer months and all year through,” said Ocean City Mayor Richard (Rick) Meehan.  “We appreciate our solid partnership with the Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration, the Maryland State Police, the County and countless organizations and businesses who have signed on with their support to spread the Walk Smart, Drive Smart, Bike Smart messages.”

“During the summer months, nearly 55,000 vehicles travel Coastal Highway each day, sharing the roads with thousands of pedestrians and hundreds of bicyclists each and every day,” said Maryland State Highway Administration Deputy Administrator Greg Slater.  “When traveling this major eight lane roadway, Coastal Highway, even on vacation, we cannot let our guards down and that is why the Walk Smart message is so important.  The success of this project is a credit to the unparalleled support of our partners.”

In the three seasons since this campaign launched, Ocean City incurred zero pedestrian fatalities.  Sadly, prior to the launch of the 2016 campaign, a pedestrian was struck and killed this spring, a stark reminder of why the Ocean City Walk Smart! campaign is needed.

The Ocean City Walk Smart! campaign, sponsored by a task force that includes businesses, law enforcement and traffic safety experts, continues to expand pedestrian and bicycle safety messaging.  Pedestrians are urged to use crosswalks and wait for “walk” signals, while bicyclists are reminded to ride in the direction of traffic, avoid distractions and follow all traffic signs and signals.  Drivers should stop for pedestrians, watch for bicyclists and share the road.

In addition to promoting safety messages, SHA made engineering enhancements in 2015 and has continued in 2016 with completion of a 4.7 mile Coastal Highway resurfacing project.  SHA plans to install a dune-style median fence late in 2016.  

 

 

“This initiative, which runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, has successfully educated the public and made Ocean City streets safer for everyone,” said SHA District 1 Engineer Donnie Drewer.  “We appreciate the Ocean City Police Department’s commitment to keeping people safe every day.  The business and tourism communities’ support makes a tremendous difference in keeping safety at the forefront as new vacationers arrive each week.”

This year, the crab mascot will make live appearances on the Boardwalk throughout the summer.  The iconic Maryland crab lifeguard continues to remind pedestrians to use crosswalks, follow signals and exercise general street smarts with messaging to reach drivers and bicyclists.  Educational messages appear on Ocean City transit, plane banners, boat billboard messages, roadside billboards, television and radio public announcements, and in local businesses. Drivers also must stay alert, stop for pedestrians and travel the posted speed limit.  Bicyclists need to ride with traffic and obey stop signs and red lights.

“Especially as we prepare for the July 4th holiday, the men and women of the Ocean City Police Department recognize the critical importance of the OC Walk Smart campaign - every time the rules of the road are followed, another tragedy is prevented,” said Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro.  “We continue to focus on walking, biking and driving safety education, and remain poised to enforce as needed. We urge pedestrians to use crosswalks and wait for the walk signal at all times; when biking, ride with traffic and stay alert, avoid distractions and earphone use.”

Helpful tips for a safe vacation are available here. Walk Smart. Drive Smart. Bike Smart.