Pedestrian Safety

Public Education Meetings Scheduled on Bikeshare Program Coming to County

18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 EST

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will host three public meetings in June on the extension of the Capital Bikeshare program into Montgomery County. Bikesharing allows travelers to rent a bike from on-street stations and drop it off at other stations within the bikeshare network.

The following meetings will focus on selected urban centers of Montgomery County where bikesharing stations will be installed in late summer 2013. However, information on bikesharing throughout the County will be available at each meeting. All meetings will be held from 7 to 9 p.m.

Bikeshare in Bethesda and Friendship Heights: June 24
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor La., 2nd Floor
Bikeshare in Silver Spring and Takoma Park: June 25
Fire Station 1, 8110 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor, Silver Spring; and
Bikeshare in Rockville, Shady Grove and the Life Sciences Center: June 26 Executive Office Building Lobby Auditorium, 101 Monroe St., Rockville.

Get more information about the meetings online or contact Margie Boumel at 240-777-7170. For more information on Bikeshare in Montgomery County, visit the new Bikeshare website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/bikeshare.

Montgomery County Police Focus Enforcement Efforts on Pedestrian Safety

09 Jun 2013 00:00:00 EST

During the months of April, May, and June, the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) has been focusing enforcement efforts on pedestrian safety. MCPD has been conducting a number of operations at locations with marked crosswalks and areas that have been identified as pedestrian High Incidence Areas (HIAs) -- those with more pedestrian collisions. Police are issuing citations to both drivers and pedestrians who are breaking the law. To date, Police have issued over 2,000 citations to pedestrians for crossing mid-block or against the pedestrian signal, and over 300 citations to drivers for not yielding to pedestrians.

Particular attention is being paid to the following HIAs:

Colesville Road between Fenton Street and Noyes Drive (Silver Spring)
Connecticut Avenue between Independence Street and Georgia Avenue (Aspen Hill)
Four Corners (Silver Spring)
Piney Branch Road between Flower Avenue and New Hampshire Avenue (Silver Spring)
Randolph Road between Selfridge Road and Colie Drive (Wheaton)
Rockville Pike between Halpine Drive and Hubbard Road (Rockville)

In addition to these HIAs, MCPD have focused pedestrian enforcement actions on other crosswalk locations around the County where driver compliance with pedestrian safety laws has been an issue, including:

Veirs Mill Road at Turkey Branch Parkway (Aspen Hill)
Bel Pre Road between Georgia Avenue and Layhill Road (Aspen Hill)
Democracy Boulevard between Old Georgetown Road and Bells Mill Road (Bethesda)
Arlington Road between Elm Street and Old Georgetown Road (Bethesda)
Muddy Branch Road between Suffield Drive and Diamondback Drive (Gaithersburg)
Aircraft Drive between Century Boulevard and Germantown Road at the Germantown Transit Center (Germantown)
Middlebrook Road at Great Seneca Highway (Germantown)
Lost Knife Road between Odendhal Ave and Contour Rd at the Lake Forest Transit Center (Montgomery Village)
Wooton Parkway near Wooton High School (Rockville)
Spring Street at First Avenue (Silver Spring)
University Boulevard at Reedie Drive (Wheaton - Glenmont)
Randolph Road at Livingston Street (Wheaton – Glenmont)
Randolph Road at Bluhill Road (Wheaton – Glenmont)

In Montgomery County, more than 400 pedestrians are struck by vehicles each year. Many of these collisions could be avoided if drivers and pedestrians obeyed the law and were more aware.

The Montgomery County Police Department takes a proactive approach to ensuring the safety of pedestrians. The department’s Traffic Unit routinely conducts pedestrian safety operations throughout the County to enforce traffic laws. The SafeSpeed and red light camera programs serve to improve the safety of pedestrians by slowing down traffic and reducing the number of vehicles running red lights.

Drivers and pedestrians have equal responsibilities in reducing pedestrian-involved collisions. Drivers should take extra caution when approaching crosswalks. Look for pedestrians near the crosswalk and prepare to yield when they enter the crosswalk. When driving in a residential area, or near a school zone, scan ahead for pedestrian traffic, especially for children, who may suddenly run out into the roadway. Extra caution should apply in the evening hours. Pedestrians should always use designated crosswalks when crossing a busy roadway. Assume that drivers can’t see you until you have made eye contact. Once in the crosswalk continue to scan for traffic in each lane of traffic. When in doubt, yield to vehicle traffic -- pedestrians are the ones who are injured in a collision.

View MCPD press releases on these efforts:

May 8 - Press Release #1

May 8 - Press Release #2

May 9

To see press articles on the pedestrian enforcement efforts, click below:

WJLA

Wheaton Patch, Article 1

Wheaton Patch, Article 2

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch

To see more pedestrian and driver Safety Tips, visit MCDOT's Pedestrian Safety website.

Webinar Features Montgomery County's Pedestrian Safety Program

06 Jun 2013 00:00:00 EST

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership in the Greater Washington region hosted a webinar on June 5 about Montgomery County’s approach to improving pedestrian safety. Speakers shared data detailing the results of the program and discussed engineering, education and enforcement efforts that are reducing the severity of pedestrian collisions and the number of collisions in targeted, high risk areas.

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett released a strategic plan in December 2007 to improve pedestrian safety that uses a multifaceted approach. Speakers discussed the use of data to guide program priorities; the role of road audits and targeted infrastructure improvements; pairing education with engineering and enforcement; successes in the Safe Routes to School program; and the integral role of law enforcement.

Click below to view the Webinar:

The Safe Routes to School Greater Washington region is a partnership of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Progress on Pedestrian Safety Noted at County Stat Review

23 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

An analysis at a May 8, 2013 CountyStat review of Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett’s Pedestrian Safety Initiative showed that County efforts to improve pedestrian safety are having a positive effect. In 2012, the most severe collisions resulting in debilitating injury (Level 4) or death (Level 5) decreased by 20 percent and fatalities dropped to an all-time low of 0.6 per 100,000 people. This fatality rate is one of the lowest in the nation according to 2011 national data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The reductions in collisions are most notable in areas around schools improved under the Safe Routes to Schools program, the County’s High Incidence Areas (locations targeted as having the highest density of collisions) and locations where traffic calming measures have been completed.

Other program trends noted in the CountyStat review included:

An 85% reduction in pedestrian collisions for Safe Routes to School
A 37% reduction in pedestrian collisions in the County’s High Incidence Areas
An increase in the percentage of pedestrian collisions where drivers are at fault
A 6% increase in pedestrian collisions countywide from 2011 to 2012, primarily attributable to a rise in parking lot collisions, which increased by 34%
19% of parking lot collisions were Level 4 (involved incapacitating injuries)

Montgomery County is committed to achieving data-driven results to reduce the frequency and severity of pedestrian collisions. These periodic reviews have become a critical and valuable part of implementing the County Executive’s Pedestrian Safety Initiative. By reviewing data and information from the program, the County works to assure that effective strategies are being employed to improve pedestrian safety. Information evaluated in these reviews provides vital direction on how best to target activities that are reducing the number of pedestrian collisions in the County. A press release has been issued on the conclusions of this most recent CountyStat review.

Click below to view the presentation:

Previous CountyStat Review Presentations can be seen on the County’s CountyStat web site and are listed by dates of the review. Click on the dates to review the presentation:

Construction Begins on MacArthur Boulevard Bikeway Improvements

18 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Engineering has begun work on bikeway improvements along 13,800 linear feet of MacArthur Boulevard. This is known as Segment 2 of improvements along this bikeway corridor. Segment 2 extends from the Beltway/I-495 to Oberlin Avenue.

The contractor, Fort Myer Construction, has been on site since mid April but has now begun actual construction work.

This project is part of the Capital Improvements Program and is designated as project number 500718-2. For budget information on this or other CIP projects, visit the Office of Management and Budget's website. For more information on this and other transportation-related construction projects, visit the Division of Transportation Engineering's website.

Recent Research on the Dangers of Distracted Driving

15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST

Some recent studies on the dangers of distracted driving:

More adults text while driving
Source: USA Today, March 28, 2013

Forget teenagers. Adults are the biggest texting-while-driving problem in the U.S. What's worse — they know it's wrong. Almost half of all adults admit to texting while driving in a survey by AT&T compared with 43% of teenagers. More than 98% of adults — almost all of them — admit they know it's wrong. Six in 10 say they weren't doing it three years ago. This follows an extensive national campaign against distracted driving: 39 states and the District of Columbia ban texting while driving for all drivers, and an additional five states prohibit the practice for new drivers, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. The AT&T survey follows a study this month from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found 31% of drivers in the U.S. reported texting or e-mailing while driving. To see the full article, go to: www.usatoday.com/.

Do texting bans really prevent fatal accidents?
Source: The Atlantic Cities, March 27, 2013

The psychological evidence is quite clear: using a cell phone while you're driving is distracting. Conversing with someone on the phone imposes a cognitive strain that makes it harder for the brain to concentrate on other tasks. Hands-free systems keep drivers eyes on the road, but they don't do much to reduce their level of distraction. No matter how you cut it, the case for banning drivers from using mobile phones is a strong one. What's less clear is whether or not these bans actually reduce collisions. Given that mobile technology is fairly new, the question hasn't received much empirical attention. One study to look at texting bans in four states, back in 2010, actually found that crashes increased in those states, compared to neighboring states without the bans — perhaps because drivers tried to hide their phones while texting, making the act even more dangerous. To see the full article, go to: www.theatlanticcities.com/.

Kids one of the worst distractions while driving, study suggests
Source: 680 News (Canada), March 20, 2013

Distracted driving campaigns usually center around eating, texting and talking behind the wheel — but what about your young passengers? An Australian study says children may be taking your eyes off the road the most. Pulling squabbling siblings apart, calming fussy babies and even picking up dropped toys are taking parents' eyes away from the road, the study suggests. According to the study, children are 12 times more distracting to drivers than cellphones, with the average parent taking their eyes off the road for three minutes and 22 seconds during a 16-minute trip. The Canadian Automobile Association said statistics in Ontario show children are four times more distracting than cellphones. To see the full article, go to: www.680news.com/.

(Source for these abstracts: Network of Employers for Traffic Safety newsletter, April 15, 2013)

Street Smart Safety Zone Events Promote Pedestrian Safety in Montgomery County

12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST

As part of the Spring StreetSmart campaign, three Safety Zone events were held in Montgomery County to promote pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Events in Montgomery County were held at the following times/locations:

Tuesday, 4/16 from 4:00 to 6:00pm with WIAD 94.7 Fresh FM:

Hillandale Shopping Center at New Hampshire Ave. and Powder Mill Rd., Hillandale, MD

Wednesday, 4/17 from 4:00 to 6:00pm with WPGC 95.5:

Near Starbucks at Market St. and Center Point Way in Kentlands Shopping Center, Gaithersburg, MD

Wednesday, 4/24 from 4:00 to 6:00pm with WLZL 107.9 El Zol:

Wheaton Triangle at Reedie Dr. & Georgia Ave., Wheaton-Glenmont, MD

Pedestrians were reminded to use crosswalks and wait for the walk signal, while divers were reminded to slow down and watch for pedestrians. Learn more about the Street Smart campaign at http://bit.ly/BeStreetSmart.

A Coordinated Approach to Pedestrian Safety Education and Enforcement Efforts at Seneca Valley High School

11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST

Jeff Dunckel (MCDOT) and Captain Thomas Didone (MCPD) address students at Seneca Valley High School about pedestrian safety

The morning of April 11 marked the beginning of a pedestrian safety education and enforcement campaign at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown. The campaign kicked off with a student assembly featuring Seneca Valley High School Principal Marc Cohen, Montgomery County Police Captain Thomas Didone, and Montgomery County Department of Transportation's Pedestrian Safety Coordinator Jeff Dunckel. Mrs. Gwendolyn Ward, mother of Christina Morris-Ward, a 15-year old Seneca Valley student who was tragically killed crossing Germantown Road this past Halloween morning, also spoke to the crowd of more than 1,200 high school students about the potentially life-threatening consequences of not obeying pedestrian safety laws. The assembly also featured a 10-minute Public Safety Announcement produced by students at the high school, which highlighted the importance of being a safe pedestrian and driver.

Over the next week and a half a team of pedestrian safety Champions, comprised of parents and members of the community, as well as representatives from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, were out on the streets talking to the high school students about crossing safely and handing out reflective materials. The Champions reminded pedestrians to practice the following safe behaviors:

· Cross the street at marked crosswalks and intersections

· Look left, right, left, and over their shoulder for turning vehicles when crossing the street

· Begin crossing the street on the "walk" signal

· Stay visible after dark

· Make eye contact with drivers

· Stop texting and talking on the cell and remove earphones

Following the education campaign, police were out on the streets around the high school issuing citations to pedestrians and drivers who did not obey the law. Pedestrians were fined $50 for crossing outside of a crosswalk if both adjacent intersections have traffic signals, or starting to cross at a signalized intersection if the pedestrian signal is red or flashing red. Drivers were fined $80 for not yielding to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The purpose of the education and enforcement campaign is to inform the students about crossing safely so that future tragedies can be avoided. The campaign will encourage students to BE SAFE, BE SEEN, and BE STREET SMART.

The pedestrian safety Champions plan to continue efforts at the school next year. If you would like to partcipate as a Champion in this campaign, please contact Ruthanne Stoltzfus: rlskls@verizon.net.

Read aticles on the Seneca Valley HS Pedestrian Safety Campaign:

WJLA

Germantown Patch

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Station 22 Distributing Pedestrian Safety Materials to Seneca Valley High School Students

Seneca Valley High School Principal Marc Cohen with Derrick Gilliam (MCPS Security) and pedestrian safety Champions Ellyn Terry and Ruthanne Stoltzfus

New Campaign Warns Motorists, Pedestrians and Bicyclists to Exercise Caution

09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST

Dramatic Ads Offer Safety Tips, Promote Increased Traffic Safety Vigilance

Like millions of others in the area, most days Stephen Grasty walks several blocks a day–to work, to a Metro stop, to a friend’s house. Though he has had his share of close calls, he has never been hit by a car and he would like to keep in that way. Stephen’s face—symbolically blemished by a tire tread—will soon be appearing in the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ new public awareness safety campaign urging drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists to look out for each other.

The Street Smart campaign offers safety tips to prevent pedestrian and bicyclist deaths and injuries in the DC metro area. The campaign began the second week of April in the wake of recent pedestrian crashes that left a 71-yearold woman dead in the 1100 block of Florida Avenue and at least 12 other pedestrians killed in crashes in the Washington metropolitan region in 2013 to date. “Most people do not stop to think how vulnerable pedestrians are on our streets and sidewalks,” said District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray. “But the reality is that we must protect pedestrians from cars and other vehicles, because when they collide with a pedestrian, the pedestrian never wins.”

The “tired faces” visuals call attention to the dangers confronting pedestrians and bicyclists with the larger-than life faces of area residents on ads on buses and in transit shelters in the District, Virginia and Maryland. State and local officials want drivers to actively watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists, especially when turning. They also are reminding bicyclists to ride with traffic and stop at red lights and urging pedestrians to use crosswalks and wait for the walk signal before crossing the street. In 2012, preliminary data indicates there were 3,033 crashes in the DC metropolitan region involving pedestrians and bicyclists, which resulted in 70 fatalities. On average, pedestrians and bicyclists account for 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in the Washington region.

During the Street Smart campaign, which runs through May 13, law enforcement officers in Maryland, the District of Columbia and northern Virginia will be watching for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists who violate traffic safety laws. Drivers and cyclists who fail to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, as well as pedestrians who jaywalk, can face fines that range from $40 to $500. Drivers also are subject to getting points on their driver records.

Information on the new campaign and the Street Smart public education program may be found at www.bestreetsmart.net.

StreetSmart Press Release in Spanish

Jurisdicational Fact Sheet

StreetSmart Campaign Quick Facts Sheet

New Articles about the StreetSmart Campaign:

Washington Times

Dcist.com

TheWashCycle.com

NewsChannel 8's "NewsTalk with Bruce DePuyt"

WRC-TV (NBC)'s "Viewpoint"

Fairfax Daily Monitor

Montgomery County Sentinel

Univision interviewing Montgomery County Pedestrian Safety Coordinator Jeff Dunckel about the new StreetSmart campaign

Pedestrian Safety Volunteers Make Wheaton Area Safer

28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST

Volunteers conduct outreach while staffing a booth at a local festival

A group of community volunteers are making a real difference in the Wheaton area as they help to spread the word about pedestrian safety. The community members represent neighborhood civic associations including Connecticut Avenue Estates, Montclair Manor, and Rock Creek Palisades, as well as the Hispanic/Latino community.

With help from MCDOT, the Montgomery County Police Department, and Fire and Rescue Service, in coordination with the Maryland Highway Safety Office, community volunteers have been participating in outreach efforts such as fairs, festivals and community meetings. They talk to pedestrians on the street and visiting community events and distribute reusable bags containing pedestrian safety information.

A YouTube video highlights some of their activities over the last few months. If you would like to volunteer, contact Joana Conklin with MCDOT's pedestrian safety program at 240.777.7195 or by email.