Maryland officials lending reflective vests for Halloween

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

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