VESTS FOR VISIBILITY MAKE IT EASY TO BE SEEN ON HALLOWEEN

MDOT SHA Logo

MDOT SHA Logo

SHA Maintenance Shops Offer Vests to Help Protect Little Feet Seeking Halloween Treats; Trick or Treaters and Drivers Reminded to Look Up, Look Out!
 
(October 19, 2016) – Even armed with magic wands, capes and wings, children are no match in a contest with a moving vehicle. To protect the witches, goblins, princesses, pirates and other creatures taking to Maryland streets this Monday, October 31, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (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.
 
The vests will be available in most counties at SHA maintenance facilities during the days just before the holiday. Adults may pick up the vests between Wednesday, October 26 and Friday, October 28 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. They will be issued on a first come, first served basis and need to be returned by Friday, November 4.
 
“The Vests for Visibility program emphasizes the importance of our pedestrian message: ‘Look Up, Look Out’ – for both pedestrians and drivers. Even if you are not taking advantage of the opportunity to borrow a reflective vest, be sure to stay visible during evening hours – on Halloween and every night,” said SHA Administrator Gregory Johnson, P.E. “With the upcoming time change, we want to make sure that drivers and pedestrians are following the rules of the road and looking out for each other.”  
 
 
children model reflective vests 
 
Safety Tips:
 
FOR MOTORISTS:
 
• Stop for pedestrians - Maryland law requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks and intersections.
 
• Stay alert – Don’t use your phone while driving.
• Obey the speed limit. Speeding only makes it more difficult to stop unexpectedly.
• Motorists should be more cautious during peak trick-or-treating hours between 4 and 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 or take a taxi/ride service.
 
FOR 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. Instead 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.
 
2016 Vests for Visibility Participating SHA Maintenance Shops:
 
Allegany County
 
LaVale Shop 1251 Vocke Road LaVale, MD 21502 301-729-8400
 
Keyser's Ridge Shop 3876 National Pike Accident, MD 21520 301-746-8141
 
Anne Arundel County
Glen Burnie Shop 910 Stewart Ave Glen Burnie, MD 21061 410-766-3770
 
Annapolis Shop 138 Defense Highway Annapolis, MD 21401 410-841-1009
 
Baltimore County
 
Churchville Shop 3050 Churchville Road Churchville, MD 21028 410-838-7788
 
Hereford Shop 306 Mount Carmel Road Parkton, MD 21120 Phone: 410-329-6756
 
Golden Ring Shop 8375 Pulaski Highway Rosedale, MD 21237 410-574-4511 Owings Mills Shop 10690 Red Run Boulevard
 
Owings Mills, MD 21117 410-363-1315 Calvert County Prince
 
Frederick Shop MD 231 at MD 2/4 Prince Frederick, MD 20678 410-535-1748
 
Caroline County
 
Denton Shop 508 Caroline Street Denton, MD 21629 410-479-0770
 
Carroll County
 
Westminster Shop 150 Wyndtryst Drive Westminster, MD 21157 410-876-2061
 
Cecil County
 
Elkton Shop 2024 E. Old Philadelphia Road Elkton, MD 21922 410-398-1565
 
Charles County
 
LaPlata Shop Washington Ave LaPlata, MD 20646 301-934-8031
 
Dorchester County
 
Cambridge Shop 750 Handley Road Cambridge, MD 21701 410-228-4977
 
Frederick County
 
Frederick Shop 5111 Buckeystown Pike Frederick, MD 21701 301-624-8251
 
Dayton Shop Maryland Route 32 Dayton, Maryland 21036 (410) 531-5533
 
Harford County
 
Churchville Shop 3050 Churchville Road Churchville, MD 21028 410-838-7788
 
Howard County
 
Dayton Shop 4401 MD 32 Dayton, MD 21036 410-531-5533
 
Kent County
 
Chestertown Shop 615 Morgnec Road Chestertown, MD 21620 Phone: 410-778-0818
 
Montgomery County
 
Fairland Shop 12020 Plumorchard Drive Silver Spring, MD 20904 301-572-5166
 
Gaithersburg Shop 502 Quince Orchard Road Gaithersburg, MD 20760 301-948-2477
 
Prince George’s County
 
Laurel Shop Talbot Avenue & Second Avenue Laurel, MD 20810 301-776-7619
 
Marlboro Shop 6500 S.E. Crain Highway Upper Marlboro, MD 20870 301-952-0555
 
Queen Anne’s County
 
Centerville Shop 111 Safety Drive Centreville, MD 21617 Phone: 410-758-0700
 
Somerset County
 
Princess Anne Shop 10980 Market Lane Princess Anne, MD 21853 410-651-1333
 
Talbot County
 
Easton Shop 8265 Ocean Gateway Easton, MD 21601-0745 410-822-3525
 
Washington County
 
Hagerstown Shop 18320 Col. Henry K. Douglas Drive Hagerstown, MD 21740 301-791-4790
 
Wicomico County
 
Salisbury Shop 660 West Road Salisbury, MD 21802 410-677-4050
 
Worcester County
 
Snow Hill Shop 5630 Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863 410-632-0511
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