Duncan Announces Formation Of Pedestrian And Traffic Safety Blue Ribbon Panel: Pedestrain Safety Campaigns Launched

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

eb/ped.pr 00-250pr

Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530
State Delegate William Bronrott, 301-652-6016

For Immediate Release: June 20, 2000

DUNCAN ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF
PEDESTRIAN AND TRAFFIC SAFETY BLUE RIBBON PANEL:
Pedestrian Safety Campaigns Launched

At a downtown Bethesda intersection where a pedestrian was fatally struck last September, County Executive Douglas M. Duncan was on hand to help launch local "Safe Summer" campaigns to promote pedestrian safety and announce the formation of the Montgomery County Blue Ribbon Panel on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. The Panel will map out an action plan to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries in the County by addressing the interrelated problems of pedestrian safety, aggressive driving, drunken driving, intersection safety, road design, traffic management, and vehicle occupant protection issues.

"For the past five years, pedestrian fatalities in the County have exceeded the number of homicides during the same time period," said Duncan. "These tragedies can and must be prevented. We must take even more aggressive measures to make our streets safer."

Today's event, scheduled to coincide with the first day of summer, launched the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Pedestrian Safety Coalition and the new Greater Silver Spring Pedestrian Safety Coalition "Safe Summer" campaigns to urge motorists and pedestrians to "Drive With Care, Walk With Caution." The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Coalition was established last year at the behest of Maryland Delegate William A. Bronrott (District 16), and includes an alliance of community leaders; businesses; health, safety and environmental advocacy groups; and State and County officials. Duncan appointed Bronrott to serve as the Blue Ribbon Panel's Chair.

"Crossing the street should not have to be a death-defying act," said Bronrott. "The goal of our summer campaign and the County Executive's new task force is to make sure that the heavy mix of motor vehicles and pedestrians is not a lethal one. I am grateful to our County Executive for his leadership on this major public safety problem. I am honored to be asked to serve as chair, and I accept this important challenge to develop a blueprint for action that will guide our County's efforts to bring the death toll down."

In 1999, there were 13 homicides in Montgomery County compared with 18 pedestrian fatalities. So far in 2000, there have been three homicides and four pedestrian deaths. Statewide in 1999, pedestrian fatalities comprised 20 percent of all traffic deaths, compared with 37 percent in Montgomery County. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, amongst the four largest metropolitan jurisdictions, Montgomery County last year had the highest number of pedestrian fatalities (18) compared with the District of Columbia (16), Prince Georges County (16), and Fairfax County (13).

"The magnitude of these issues, pedestrian safety in particular and traffic safety overall, requires a comprehensive and collaborative problem solving approach," said Montgomery County Police Chief Charles A. Moose, Ph.D. "We know that people continue to be seriously injured and killed in traffic incidents that clearly could be avoided. We all need to do our part - slow down, use our seatbelts, watch for pedestrians, cross streets cautiously, stop at red lights, always drive sober, and get our child safety seats inspected - to reduce these tragedies."

The pedestrian safety effort started in Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Friendship Heights last summer, and is spreading to Silver Spring this year. Both are focusing on the three "E's" of pedestrian safety -- education, engineering improvements, and stepped up enforcement measures. Comprehensive campaigns that include all three prevention strategies have proven to be the most effective. Educational efforts will promote safety tips for motorists and pedestrians to encourage everyone to "Drive Smart" and "Walk Smart." The coalitions will distribute more than 100,000 bookmarks in English and Spanish to bookstores, restaurants, other retailers, employers, libraries, parking garages, County liquor stores, high-rise residential buildings, Metro stations, and numerous other public places. Posters will be displayed by businesses located in downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring. Banners will hang across major thoroughfares. Some local newspapers will donate free public service advertising space. The County will run public service announcements for cable television and local radio stations. The educational message and artwork were developed as a donation by Equals Three Communications of Bethesda.

Safety tips for pedestrians include advice to always use crosswalks and obey traffic signs and signals; make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you; wear light colored or reflective clothing at night; and look over your shoulder for turning vehicles before crossing. Drivers are advised to always stop or yield for pedestrians; obey traffic signals and never run red lights; observe posted speed limits; and be courteous.

Road engineering improvements announced by Duncan today to enhance pedestrian safety include 600 new brighter and more visible yellow school crossing signs to be installed near schools around the County. An innovative modification of the crosswalks at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and East-West Highway will make it easier for pedestrians to connect to Bethesda Metro Center. Also, a new traffic signal will be installed this year at the heavily traveled intersection of Woodmont and Montgomery Avenues. In Silver Spring, intersection improvements are planned along Fenton Street.

County police officers in the Bethesda District will conduct "InterBreak", a program of stepped up enforcement activities to reduce driver violations at intersections most heavily used by pedestrians. Every week, motorcycle officers will receive a list of intersections to monitor for 15 to 30 minute intervals during the day. Officers will aggressively enforce traffic laws at those intersections to raise awareness. When they have the opportunity, the officers will also distribute the campaign educational materials that promote safe driving and walking tips.

In Silver Spring, police officers will be conducting selective enforcement days several times a month, targeting intersections along Georgia Avenue, Colesville Road, University Boulevard, and other areas with serious pedestrian and traffic problems. Both pedestrians and drivers will be targeted. In addition, volunteers will be handing out safety tips to the public.

Participating in today's kickoff was Josie Zell of Damascus who spoke for the family of Rosemary Martufi, a Bethesda resident who was killed while walking her dog across Wisconsin Avenue last September 22.

"If you are a motorist, it's time to start giving pedestrians a 'brake' and yield the right of way," Zell said. "If you are a pedestrian, you truly must walk with caution."

To commemorate Martufi, the Montgomery County Commission on Aging presented a wreath. In the future, the Commission plans to honor other senior citizens killed in traffic fatalities.

Since pedestrian safety is becoming an increasingly serious countywide concern, Duncan has set up a Panel to identify key pedestrian and traffic safety problems and propose a set of short-term and long-term actions to address these concerns. The Panel will look at how to improve upon current programs and policies; capital improvement projects; the role engineering and technology could play in enhancing safety; education programs; ordinance/statutory changes; and identifying consistent and reliable funding to sustain ongoing efforts. The Panel will hold public hearings to solicit input from the community and experts.

For more information about the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Pedestrian Safety Coalition or campaign, call 301-986-4325. For more information about the Greater Silver Spring Coalition, call 301-565-7300.

# # #

News Releases | News