Back to school preparations are happening throughout Maryland, and with that, safety is on the minds of school officials and local government agencies. 

School officials are partnering with the Maryland State Highway Administration to promote safe driving and are rolling out the new motto "Look up, look out, walk smart, drive smart."

On average, 100 pedestrians lose their lives on Maryland roadways every year.  Today we are arming some of our youngest commuters with safety information that has the power to prevent injuries and save lives,” said SHA Administrator Gregory C. Johnson “Everyone needs to help spread the word that safety starts by walking smart, using crosswalks, looking left – right – left, and staying alert.  At some point in the day, each of us is a pedestrian; so when driving, be sure to look up and look out for people walking and crossing roads.”

The Department of Public Works & Transportation is pleased to be part of the Look Up and Look Out campaign partnership to make walking and biking safer for children in Prince George’s County.   It’s a great way to get everyone focused on safety, beginning with our youngest citizens,” said Prince George’s County Director of Public Works Darrell B. Mobley.

 

To further enhance children’s safety, SHA offers the following tips:

For pedestrians:

• Use sidewalks and marked cross walks whenever possible.

• Press the pedestrian signal button and wait for the walk signal.

• Always stop at the curb and look left, right and left before crossing a street.

• Watch for cars turning in or leaving driveways.

• Walk, don’t run across the street.

• Wear light or bright colored clothing.

• Look up and stay alert take off headphones while walking – no texting or playing games.

For drivers:

• Always stop for pedestrians.

• Treat every intersection as a crosswalk, even when none is marked.

• Obey traffic signs, signals and markings.

• Stop for red lights; yield to pedestrians when making a right turn on red.

• Observe posted speed limits. Speeding only makes it more difficult to stop for pedestrians.

• Keep your eyes on the road. It’s illegal to use a handheld phone/device or text while driving.

• When a school bus stops, the flashing red lights go on and the stop sign flaps come out, drivers in BOTH directions are required to stop. This is the most dangerous time with children are getting on or off the bus.

• It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus with its flashing red lights activated and stop arm extended.

• Drivers must be patient. There is simply no room for aggressive driving around a school bus.