WASHINGTON — Evenings are getting darker as winter approaches, so the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) wants to help keep kids, and their adult chaperones, stay safe this Halloween.
The State Highway Administration will be lending out reflective vests at highway maintenance shops across the state, as part of the annual Vests for Visibility Program.
The vests are designed to be worn over clothing — or costumes — and help increase pedestrians’ visibility.
The vests will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at most SHA maintenance facilities, during the days leading up to the holiday. They may be picked up between Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The vests must be returned by Friday, Nov. 6.
Officials say all pedestrians need to be careful at this time of year.
“With the upcoming time change, it will be dark earlier making it more difficult for drivers to see pedestrians and cyclists,” said SHA Administrator Gregory C. Johnson. “When walking or biking be sure to wear something bright and when driving use extra caution and follow speed limits.”
Safety Tips:
FOR MOTORISTS:
- Stop for pedestrians. Maryland law requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks and intersections.
• Stay alert. Park the mobile phone.
• 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.
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, 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.
2015 Vests for Visibility Participating SHA Maintenance Shops:
Allegany County
LaVale Shop
1221 W. Braddock Road
LaVale, MD 21502
301-729-8433
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
Golden Ring Shop
8375 Pulaski Highway
Rosedale, MD 21237
410-574-4511
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
Garrett County
Keyser’s Ridge Shop
3876 National Pike
Accident, MD 21520
301-746-8141
Howard County
Dayton Shop
4401 MD 32
Dayton, MD 21036
410-531-5533
Kent County
Chestertown Shop
111 Safety Drive
Centreville MD 21617
410-758-0700
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
Centerville, MD 21629
410-778-0818
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
I-70 & MD 65
18320 Col. Henry 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
