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See and Be Seen on Halloween With MDOT SHA Reflective Vests

October 24th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

All superheroes, princesses, ghosts and goblins deserve to be seen this Halloween. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will lend reflective vests to children and their chaperones as part of the annual “Vests for Visibility” Program. Designed to be worn over clothing, the reflective vests help increase the visibility of pedestrians. Every day and especially on Halloween which brings increased nighttime pedestrian activity, everyone needs to follow the rules of the road, see and be seen.

Parents can pick up vests between Monday, October 29 through Wednesday, October 31 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The reflective vests will be issued on a first come, first served basis and need to be returned by Friday, November 2. 

“The Vests for Visibility program is another way that we are stressing how critical it is to have a conversation about pedestrian safety with the walkers and drivers in your family,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Gregory Slater. “With the upcoming time change and dusk arriving earlier in the day, we want to make sure that drivers and pedestrians are looking out for each other, so everyone stays safe.”

Throughout the year, MDOT SHA promotes it’s Look Up, Look Out campaign which is an education initiative that reminds travelers that pedestrian safety is a two-way street. The campaign urges both drivers and pedestrians to make safe, smart choices on the road. The effort includes public service announcements, billboards, community outreach and social media efforts. To keep the message in front of our youngest pedestrians, members of the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens football organizations will be visiting elementary schools throughout Maryland for Walk Smart assemblies.

Safety Tips:

DRIVERS:

  • Stop for pedestrians – Maryland law requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and intersections.
  • Stay alert – park the mobile phone.
  • Obey the speed limit. Speeding only makes it more difficult to stop unexpectedly.
  • Motorists should be more cautious during peak trick-or-treating hours 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Enter and exit driveways slowly. Use caution when turning at intersections.
  • Be alert for children darting across the street and crossing between parked cars.
  • When driving children to and from different activities, make sure all seat belts are fastened and let children out of the car on the curbside.
  • Never drink and drive. Designate a sober driver.

PEDESTRIANS:

  • Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.
  • Cross at crosswalks or intersections.
  • Be sure to see and be seen. Avoid dark clothing, wear bright colors and use reflective devices such as vests and blinking lights.
  • Avoid costumes that may impair vision.
  • Make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street.
  • Stay alert and be on the lookout for cars traveling above the speed limit.

2018 Vests for Visibility Participating SHA Maintenance Shops -interactive map available by click here:

Allegany County

LaVale Shop
1221 W. Braddock Road
LaVale, MD 21502
Phone: 301-729-8433

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