​(June 4, 2020) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has received three “Communicator Awards” for marketing campaigns to ensure safety on our roads and highways.

“Public education is a key part of what we do, because we want everyone to be aware of the pedestrians, bicyclists and construction workers who use our roadways along with motorists,” said MDOT SHA Acting Administrator Tim Smith. “We are deploying the latest technology, multimedia and social media platforms to convey safety messages as a public service. It is an honor to receive this recognition.”

MDOT SHA received the “2020 Communicator Award for Excellence” in the category of “Individual-Public Service for Online Video” for a video encouraging young people to put down their phones and not text and drive. The video can be viewed here. 

It depicts teenagers using their cell phones in preposterous situations – while accepting their diplomas, while performing ballet and practicing football – and asks that they apply lessons learned and not use their cell phones behind the wheels of their cars.

MDOT SHA also won two “2020 Communicator Awards of Distinction,” for its bicycle safety campaign aimed at bicyclists and motorists, and for a campaign to protect workers from being injured by drivers at highway work zones.

A full list of the 2020 winners is here.

Editor’s Note

MDOT SHA has a record amount of highway construction projects underway across the state to reduce congestion and improve safety.  From intersection improvements to widening and new interchange construction, MDOT SHA is investing in projects to enhance the commute and daily travel for millions of Marylanders.  MDOT SHA maintains more than 2,500 bridges and 17,000 miles of non-toll state roads – the interstate, US and state numbered routes in Maryland’s 23 counties.