Annual Campaign Focuses on Shared Responsibility Along MD 528 (Coastal Highway)
Ocean City, MD (May 16, 2025) – As the anticipation for the upcoming summer vacation season builds throughout the state, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) leaders joined Ocean City officials today to renew public awareness on safety through the 2025 Walk Smart, Drive Smart, Bike Smart campaign. With tens of thousands expected to head to the beach in the coming weeks, the message is simple: A great vacation starts with safe choices on the road.
Gathered at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Maryland transportation leaders including State Highway Administrator Will Pines and Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, as well as Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan and Police Sergeant Nathan Kutz, reminded residents and visitors to stay alert and watch out for one another — on foot, behind the wheel or on two wheels.
“This campaign is about more than signs and slogans — it’s about protecting people,” said Administrator Nizer, who serves as Governor Wes Moore’s Highway Safety Representative. “We want families and friends to enjoy everything Ocean City has to offer, and that begins with a strong commitment to safety from all of us — whether we’re crossing the street, driving down Coastal Highway or biking to the boardwalk.”
The campaign complements MDOT’s Serious about Safety program – a sharpening of focus on safety through an enhanced, department-wide initiative to further drive MDOT’s safety goals and save lives.
(From left) Ocean City Police Sgt. Nathan Kutz, president, Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC); Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer; State Highway Administrator Will Pines; Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan and Ocean City Council Member Larry Yates promote the the 2025 Walk Smart, Drive Smart, Bike Smart campaign. (MDOT photo)
This year’s campaign, led by the familiar Cheswick the Crab mascot, brings a renewed emphasis on community accountability and the importance of Maryland’s four Es of traffic safety: engineering, education, enforcement and emergency medical services. The goal of the campaign is to prevent crashes and save lives along MD 528 (Coastal Highway) and other high-traffic corridors throughout Ocean City.
“Ocean City is a place where lifelong memories are made and we want to make sure these nice memories continue,” said Administrator Pines, “But a single unsafe decision can change everything. We’re proud to continue partnering with the town to make smart infrastructure upgrades and promote safety for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and everyone using the roadways.
Thanks to additional transportation resources provided in Governor Moore’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, the Department of Transportation is investing in projects and policy reforms that will improve the safety and reliability of our network, spur economic growth and ensure our transportation system is in a state of good repair.
The State Highway Administration has made substantial engineering safety improvements in Ocean City over the years to protect vulnerable users. The department constructed 2.7 miles of median wave fencing on MD 528 (Coastal Highway) between Convention Center Drive and 62nd Street to deter mid-block crossings and added enhanced LED street lighting in the center median to enhance illumination of the entire roadway.
Other improvements include updating and adding highly visible continental crosswalks along Coastal Highway between 17th and 67th streets, reconstructing sidewalk ramps and medians at the MD 528/118th Street intersection, retracing all existing crosswalks and stop bars on Coastal Highway and improving pavement on MD 378 (Baltimore Avenue) between North Division and 15th streets.
Most recently, the State Highway Administration hosted a public informational workshop in Ocean City in January to provide information and gather community input for additional pedestrian and bicyclist access and safety improvements along MD 528 from 15th Street to 67th Street as part of the state’s Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP) initiative. The program identifies areas of need and prioritizes corridors across Maryland for safety enhancements.
Based on feedback gathered at the workshop and through an online survey, the project is now in the design phase, and agency will present proposed improvements and preliminary designs for additional public feedback by the end of the year. For more on the MD 528 PSAP project, visit the Project Portal page here.
“Ocean City is proud to once again partner with the Maryland Department of Transportation on the Walk Smart, Drive Smart, Bike Smart safety campaign. Safety is our top priority—for our residents, visitors, and seasonal workers. We’re committed to promoting awareness and encouraging everyone to stay alert, follow the rules, and make smart choices whether walking, biking, or driving in our community,” said Ocean City Mayor Meehan.
Each summer, the weekend population in Ocean City swells from 6,900 residents to, on average, more than 300,000 people. Town officials want those visiting for a day, week, weekend or longer to have a memorable time – which starts with having a safe visit. In fact, during any given summer weekend, Ocean City becomes the second most populated Maryland city.
“The Ocean City Police Department is proud to support the Walk Smart campaign and remain committed to ensuring our roads are safe, accessible, and family-friendly for everyone. This summer, residents and visitors will see our officers actively engaging in strong enforcement and public education efforts. Whether it’s reminding drivers to buckle up, cracking down on distracted or impaired driving, or distributing bike lights to promote visibility. Our goal is simple: to prevent tragedies and keep Ocean City a safe destination for all,” said Deputy Communications Manager Ashley Miller.
Ocean City law enforcement, and law enforcement throughout the county and state, want everyone to be safe. This starts with every road user taking responsibility for their actions on and off the road, as emphasized in the Cheswick the Crab campaign.
Cheswick reminds pedestrians to Walk Smart with the following tips:
- Press the crosswalk button before crossing Coastal Highway and all roadways.
- Cross at and within marked crosswalks.
- Look, pay attention and then cross.
- Follow all traffic signal signs and lane markings.
- Make eye contact and be seen by drivers.
Cheswick reminds drivers to Drive Smart:
- Drive sober: Never drive a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. It’s the law in Maryland.
- Slow down. Watch for and yield to pedestrians, especially when turning.
- Keep your eyes on the road.
- Avoid all distractions. It’s illegal to text and use hand-held devices while driving.
- Share the road with bicyclists and give 3 feet of space when passing.
- Check your rearview and/or side mirrors for bikes in the bike lane before turning right.
- Avoid driving in bus lanes.
Cheswick also reminds bicyclists to Bike Smart:
- Stop at all red lights and stop signs.
- Ride in the direction of traffic flow.
- Do not ride on the sidewalk. It’s illegal and dangerous.
- Ride sober. Never ride a bicycle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Avoid distractions and pay attention.
- Use bike lights if riding after dark.
Learn more about the Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office at ZeroDeathsMD.gov or on Facebook, X and Instagram at @ZeroDeathsMD.