Walk to School Day Highlights Need for Safe Walking Skills
(October 4, 2017) – With thousands of students, parents and teachers participating in National Walk to School Day, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) reminds everyone to Look Up, Look Out and Stay Alert when walking to school and driving through school zones. Schools across the State are participating in the annual event sponsored by the Safe Routes to School program.
“There is no contest between a child and a vehicle; whether driving or walking, let’s all Look Up and Look Out for each other, especially on Walk to School Day, when thousands of students will be traveling to school on foot,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Gregory Slater. “On Walk to School Day – and beyond – safety starts by walking smart and employing the basics such as using crosswalks, looking left right left, and staying alert. We also need drivers to follow the speed limit, stay alert and stop for pedestrians.”
As part of the Look Up, Look Out, Walk Smart campaign, MDOT SHA and partners reminded students and drivers about pedestrian safety before the launch of the 2017/18 school year. The campaign advocates that parents and students should review the rules of the road, especially for walking to school, biking, and waiting for the school bus. Drivers need to remember that children will be traveling to and from school, to always stop for pedestrians, be aware of school buses in the traffic mix, and be prepared for extra traffic, and possible traffic delays.
MDOT SHA partnered with local Chick-Fil-A stores around the regions this summer and fall to remind drivers and pedestrians to follow the rules of the road. Throughout the fall, the Chick-Fil-A cow will be hosting Look Up, Look Out school assemblies to schools selected through a contest drawing.
About National Walk to School Day, October 4, 2017
National Walk to School Day highlights the benefits of walking and biking to school:
• It’s Fun: Walking and bicycling bring a sense of joy and independence.
• Healthier Habits: The trip to school is a chance for children (and adults!) to get the physical activity they need.
• Cleaner Environment: Replacing car trips to school with walking or bicycling can reduce congestion and air-polluting emissions.
• Reducing traffic congestion, boosting a sense of community, and improving neighborhood connections benefit the community.
To further enhance the safety of children, MDOT 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.
• Pay attention and take off headphones while walking – no texting or playing games.
For drivers:
• Always stop for pedestrians.
• Obey traffic signs, signals and markings.
• Don’t run red lights.
• 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, if 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 as children get 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.
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