As part of Montgomery County’s efforts to improve pedestrian safety in areas with the highest densities of collisions, the County will be launching a campaign aimed at high school students in the Four Corners area of Silver Spring. A professional photographer will be at the school cafeteria to take pictures of competing teens’ eyes. The eyes of two winners will be featured on posters that urge pedestrians to establish eye contact with drivers and look both ways before crossing the street with the theme “See Them See You!” Posters will feature messages, such as: “Hey you, I’m looking at you!”, “Hey driver, I’m looking at you!”, or “Can you see me now?”
A group of Montgomery Blair high school students were involved in developing the public education campaign aimed at teens. Collision data from the Four Corners area shows that those under 20 years of age and those over 50 have been involved in the most collisions, mostly during daylight hours.
Also, beginning May 1, Montgomery Blair students will have the opportunity to answer text message questions about pedestrian safety to win gift cards and other prizes.
Participating students will receive rubber wristbands that reinforce pedestrian safety, featuring messages that include “Make Eye Contact. SWAG,” “Use Crosswalks. SWAG,” “Look Both Ways. SWAG,” “Text + Walk = FAIL” and “Get Hit by a Bus. FAIL.” SWAG and FAIL are slang for good and bad, respectively. In addition, SWAG will be used as an acronym for See them see you, Wait for the walk, Always use crosswalks, and Go reflective (especially at night). The wristbands will be reminders of safe pedestrian behaviors to the teen wearers, as well as other students.
Media attending the photography session must first check in at the Montgomery Blair High School office before proceeding to the cafeteria.
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Seniors
