MCDOT is Looking for Vision Zero Road Safety Youth Leaders

High school students in Montgomery County can apply to be a Vision Zero Youth Ambassador to gain experience as a leader in their school and community while earning SSL hours, virtual training and incentives. The program will end with Ambassadors creating and executing a safety plan and presenting it to parents and community leaders at a celebration luncheon. Apply by Feb. 5, learn more at ow.ly/AHsA50D5IH5 .

The program is a collaboration between MCDOT and the National Organization for Youth Safety (NOYS) to encourage youth to have an active role in road safety efforts and improvements.

Virtual Safety Week

Virtual Safety Week is May 17-21st! We'll have a week of Fun-filled, interactive activities to help you walk, bike, and ride safely. We'll be giving 20 participants a $15 Amazon gift card! Find all the details at montgomerycountymd.gov/safetyweek

silhouettes of people going to school for Safe Routes to School

Learn More about Safe Routes to School

Thirty years ago, 60% of children living within a 2-mile radius of a school walked or bicycled to school. Today, that number has dropped to less than 15%. And, in the past 30 years, the number of children between the ages of 6 and 11 were considered to be overweight or obese has climbed from 5% to 20%. Safe Routes to School Programs are intended to reverse these trends by improving safety and promoting walking and bicycling. One great example is Walk to School Day on October 2, 2019.

MCDOT Host Bike Safety Tour

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) team conducted on-bike education were riders learned the bicycle ABC’s, Rules of the Road, Proper Helmet Fitting, and Communication with hand signals.

Stay Alert, Stay Alive: Don't Drive or Walk Distracted

Montgomery County urges drivers and pedestrians to stay alert while in the roadway. Distracted driving and distracted walking are two of the leading causes of crashes in Montgomery County.

The "Stay Alert, Stay Alive: Don't Drive or Walk Distracted effort is part of Montgomery County's Vision Zero initiative to reduce severe and fatal collisions among vehicle occupants, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Don't get a ticket!

Police will be issuing citations to both drivers and pedestrians who are in violation of the law. Officers will stop drivers who do not yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and officers will stop pedestrians who do not cross the street at crosswalks.

Watch this video of MCPD in action.

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RRFBs – Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons

Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFBs) are now on Bel Pre Road and Westlake Drive! MCDOT has installed the first group of RRFBs. Others are being installed in the coming months.

RRFBs can enhance safety by increasing driver awareness of people who want to cross the street at the crosswalk. At unsignalized crosswalks, the RRFBs have been shown to be more effective than standard signage and pavement markings. Press Release

Push the Button! Wait for the Walk Signal!

Most pedestrian signals will not automatically change to provide pedestrian crossings at locations with push buttons; the button must be pushed to activate the signals. Each intersection is timed differently according to its size and traffic/pedestrian patterns. Intersections have been studied and timed based on an average walking speed. Longer crossing times are provided at intersections used primarily by children and senior citizens. Learn more about how to use push buttons here.