County Executive Leggett joined State, local, and regional leaders for another StreetSmart event to improve pedestrian safety.  The installation of special curb markings along a segment of Piney Branch Road -- the first of its kind in Maryland – was the focus.  The markers indicate where it is and is not safe for pedestrians to cross the street.  They remind us to think twice before crossing mid-block and risking injury or death.

In addition to engineering enhancements, education teams on the street are intervening when they see unsafe behaviors, and County Police are issuing tickets to drivers and pedestrians who are not obeying the law.

The County has moved aggressively since 2007 -- when the Executive introduced his Pedestrian Safety Initiative -- to reduce pedestrian collisions and to make the community safer for walkers, bikers, and motorists.  In eight High Incidence Areas – including this Piney Branch corridor -- there was a 56 percent reduction in pedestrian collisions in 2010, when compared to the preceding five-year average.  The severity of the collisions also declined.

For information on safe walking, visit MCDOT's pedestrian safety website.

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