Duncan Launches Pedestrian Safety Campaign

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Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530

For Immediate Release: December 12, 2000

DUNCAN LAUNCHES PEDESTRIAN SAFETY CAMPAIGN; Announces Improvements To Make Location Of Recent Pedestrian Fatality Safer

At an Aspen Hill intersection where a pedestrian was fatally struck last September, and on the heels of two hit-and-run pedestrian fatalities over the weekend, County Executive Douglas M. Duncan outlined enforcement and engineering efforts to improve safety at the site, and a public outreach campaign to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries throughout the County and the region.

"Last year, there were more pedestrian fatalities in Montgomery County than there were homicides," said Duncan. "These tragedies can and must be prevented. We have got to take more aggressive steps to make our community safer and reduce traffic fatalities and injuries."

Joining Duncan were Dr.'s Shailendra and Vanitha Vaidya, the parents of the most recent pedestrian victim 26-year old Rajiv S. Vaidya, and Vaidya's fiancée Marni Soupcoff. They asked the public for help in finding their son's killer and urged drivers and pedestrians to prevent such tragedies in the future through greater emphasis on safety.

On September 28, a 45-year old woman was struck and killed as she tried to cross Georgia Avenue south of Hewitt Avenue. On November 9, the County's Department of Public Works and Transportation improved the crossing on the south side by installing a crosswalk and pedestrian signals and buttons to activate them.

Duncan proposed other engineering changes over the next several months to further improve safety. These enhancements include refining the location of the traffic and pedestrian signals; asking the State Highway Administration to make overall improvements to street lighting to increase visibility; and making adjustments to vehicle and pedestrian signal timing. The Ride On bus stop located along the southbound lanes of Georgia Avenue will be moved closer to the intersection to discourage passengers from cutting across Georgia Avenue outside the crosswalk.

"Crossing the street should not feel like a death defying act," said Maryland Delegate Bill Bronrott (D-16, Bethesda), who is also Chair of the Montgomery County Blue Ribbon Panel on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. "We must do everything we can to ensure that the heavy mix of cars, trucks and pedestrians is not a lethal combination."

Duncan unveiled an aggressive countywide public education campaign aimed at both drivers and walkers to raise awareness of the dangers pedestrians face every day. Potomac, Inc. produced a video public service announcement (PSA) which they donated to the County, and Comcast has agreed to air the PSA for free on its cable television station. In addition, the County is producing a radio public service announcement, public service print ads, Ride On bus cards, and other materials. The educational message and artwork were developed as a donation by Equals Three Communications of Bethesda.

The County will distribute reflective action bands, also known as slap bracelets, on County Ride On buses to help passengers be more visible during early morning and late evening commutes. Bookmarks - in both English and Spanish - that review the do's and don'ts for safe walking will be given to nearby apartment managers to pass out to their tenants, many of whom rely on Ride On for their transportation needs.

Duncan sent a joint letter with Chief of Police Charles A. Moose, Ph.D. to media public affairs and news directors asking them for their help in urging the public to "Drive With Care and Walk With Caution" by airing or running the public service announcements. Duncan sent another letter to County civic associations with an ad enclosed in English and Spanish asking them to reprint the ad in their civic association newsletter, PTA newsletter, church bulletin, or other community publication.

"We know that people continue to be seriously injured and killed in traffic incidents that clearly could be avoided," said Police Chief Moose. "I urge every citizen in the County to do their part to make Montgomery County safer. We all need to slow down, use our seatbelts, watch for pedestrians, cross streets safely, stop at red lights, always drive sober, and get child safety seats inspected. In other words, let's all "Drive Smart and Walk Smart" to reduce these tragedies."

Duncan also sent a letter to Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Executive Director Michael Rogers, offering Montgomery County's public service materials to launch a region-wide public outreach campaign.

At today's event, Moose announced new enforcement efforts to ensure pedestrians get the message about walking with caution. The police will distribute flyers in targeted areas to jaywalkers that stress the importance of always using crosswalks and obeying traffic signs and signals; making eye contact with drivers to ensure being seen; wearing light colored or reflective clothing at night; and looking back for turning vehicles before crossing.

"In the wake of the number of increasingly serious pedestrian injuries and fatalities, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is committed to assisting in the education and awareness of the County's drivers and walkers who share the road," said Gordon Aoyagi, Montgomery County Fire Administrator. "The human tragedies suffered on our roads are preventable. We must "Drive with care and walk with caution," stay alert, and use the roads and crosswalks responsibly. Lives depend on it."

In June, Duncan formed the Montgomery County Blue Ribbon Panel on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. The Panel is mapping 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.

In 1999, there were 13 homicides in Montgomery County, compared with 18 pedestrian fatalities.

For more information about pedestrian safety in Montgomery County, check the County's website at www.co.mo.md.us and click on Pedestrian Safety.

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