Only Treats As Little Feet Hit the Street

(October 26, 2009) – “See and be seen” is the message from State Highway Administration (SHA) on Halloween. On Saturday, October 31, All Hallows Eve will cause Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, as well as Frankenstein and his bride to crowd the streets in search of sweet treats. As parents, guardians and neighbors prepare for out stretched arms and decorated faces, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s SHA is preparing to keep busy feet in plain sight and safe with the Vests for Visibility program.

SHA’s Vests for Visibility lends safety vests to parents or guardians – free of charge. The vests can be placed over children’s costumes, or can be the costume along with a hard hat, a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and boots. The vests will be available in most counties at many SHA Maintenance shops on Wednesday, October 28; Thursday, October 29 and Friday, October 30 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 6. 

“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. “Unfortunately, on average, about 100 pedestrians are killed every year in traffic crashes in our State.  On Halloween particularly, pedestrians and motorists must be vigilant in following the rules of the road – see and be seen.” 

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 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 look out for cars traveling above the speed limit.

Every day in Maryland, there are at least 258 crashes, 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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2009 Vests for Visibility Participating SHA Maintenance Shops
 
Anne Arundel County
Glen Burnie Shop
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
410-329-6756

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

St. Mary’s County
Leonardtown Shop
27345 Point Lookout Road
Leonardtown, MD 20650
1-301-475-8035