Report a Pedestrian Safety Problem

Step 1: Gather the following information before reporting a problem:

• Description of the problem.
• Exact location, including the names of the closest streets and the closest street address number, and whether the street is a state or county road. (Only state roads are numbered.)
• If the problem is intermittent, conditions under which the problem is likely to be viewed, for example, a drainage problem that occurs after a rainfall.

Step 2: Find the problem category in the list below and follow the instructions.

Crosswalk markings, missing curb ramp, traffic signs, traffic signals

On county roads (unnumbered) - to report poorly marked crosswalks, missing curb ramps, problems with traffic signs or signals, pedestrian signals with insufficient time to cross, email the Traffic Engineering and Operations section, Department of Transportation. You can also call them between the hours of 8 am and 4:30 pm at 240-777-6000. For an explanation on how pedestrian signals work, click here.

For issues on state roads (numbered), contact the State highway Administration, District 3 Office:

9300 Kenilworth Avenue
Greenbelt MD 20770
Phone:301-513-7300 or
800-749-0737
SHADistrict3@sha.state.md.us

Construction detours caused by development (not road construction)

If private development is adjacent to a county road: Call the Department of Permitting Services hot line at 240-777-6259 or by email.

If private development is adjacent to a state road: Call the State Highway Administration at 301-513-7300 and request the Utility section.

Maintenance problems: broken sidewalks, tree branches blocking the sidewalk or bike lane, or poor drainage causing flooding in the sidewalk or crosswalk or bike lane.

If the problem is on a county road (unnumbered roads): Call the Department of Public Works, Highway Services Section at 240-777-6000.

If the problem is on a state road (numbered road): Call the State Highway Administration, Maintenance Office, at 301-513-7305.

If the problem is on private property immediately adjacent to the road (for example, bushes that need trimming): Call the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Code Enforcement section, at 240-777-3785 or report online.

Click here for more information on maintenance issues.

Click here for more information on drainage issues.

Maintenance problems on paved shared use trails (bicycle/pedestrian): broken pavement or overgrown vegetation.

If within a Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning park: Call MNCPPC at 301-670-8080 or email service.center@mncppc-mc.org.

Capital Crescent Trail within Montgomery County: Call the MNCPPC maintenance office at 301-495-2535.

Georgetown Branch paved trail north of Bethesda Avenue: Call the Department of Transportation, Highway Services Section at 240-777-6000.

Metropolitan Branch paved trail north of ped/bike bridge near Fenton/Chicago Street: Call the Department of Public Works, Highway Services Section at 240-777-6000.

Metropolitan Branch paved trail south of ped/bike bridge near Fenton St/Chicago Ave: Call the City of Takoma Park, Department of Public Works at 301-891-7633.

Rockville bike trails (within the city limits): Email bikeways@rockvillemd.gov.

Parking on the sidewalk

Parking on a sidewalk is illegal. (Click here for a copy of the law.) To report a vehicle parked on a sidewalk, call the Montgomery County Police Department at 301-279-8000 (non-emergency number).

Sidewalk needed, curb ramp needed

If your development was built without sidewalks, the County has a program for retrofitting sidewalks. Check out the Annual Sidewalk Program webpage. Priority is given to sidewalks that serve children walking to school and to people with disabilities. Click here for information on why sidewalks are important.

If the curb is missing a ramp, a request for a ramp can be made by calling the sidewalk staff at 240-777-7270 or by email.

To encourage children (and their parents!) to walk and bicycle to school, the Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee prepared the Maryland Safe Routes to School guidebook (large file). This guidebook explains the steps you can take to make it safer for your children to walk or bicycle to school.

Snow on sidewalk

The County Code (Section 49-24A) requires property owners to clear adjacent sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours after the snow event. To report an uncleared sidewalk adjacent to a multi-family residential development, call the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Code Enforcement section, at 240-777-3785. To report an uncleared sidewalk adjacent to a single-family residence, please use our on-line reporting form. For additional information on snow operations, click here. (Please note that property owners are not required to clear sidewalks behind their property or to clear bikeways.)

Street lights, out or missing

Report a broken street light online, by email, or by calling 240-777-6000.

Request a new street light online (information and petition).

For more information, go to the Department of Transportation street light webpage.

Traffic calming needed (to slow speeding traffic)

If the speed of the traffic on your residential street is making it unsafe for pedestrians, you may want to check out the County's traffic calming program. To view the County's website on traffic calming, click here.

Unlawful action by bus driver that puts pedestrians at risk

To report a bus driver who does not stop for a pedestrian at a crosswalk or who is speeding, you must have the following information: date, time, location including direction bus was heading, bus number if possible.

For Ride On buses: send an email to transit.dpwt@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240-777-7433 (call center).

For Metro buses: call 202-638-1328

For Montgomery County Public School buses: call the Department of Transportation at 301-840-8130.

If you're not sure who should receive your request or complaint, send it here.