Press Releases - Department of Transportation

For Immediate Release: Friday, March 4, 2022

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is seeking 30 Montgomery County high school students to serve as ‘Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors.’ The project-based learning program teaches teens leadership skills, outreach and engagement techniques to address traffic safety needs in their community.

Interested public, private and home-schooled high school students can learn about the program and apply here. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 21.

The program is part of the County’s Vision Zero initiative, whose goal is to eliminate traffic-related severe injuries and deaths. Youth Ambassadors will play an important role in helping the County work toward the goal by becoming road safety leaders in their communities.

“This is an excellent opportunity for high school students to help drive positive change,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We want creative solutions from our youth to help achieve the goals of our Vision Zero plan. Teens can play a powerful role in making Vision Zero a reality and their contributions will help to establish a strong culture of road safety.”

Selected ambassadors are required to attend one of two virtual trainings that will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 9. After the orientation session, ambassadors will participate in four sessions over eight weeks, via Zoom. Sessions will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays. The dates are April 23, May 7, May 21 and June 4.

Youth Ambassadors are tasked to complete a group project that encompasses engineering, education or enforcement topics. Resources and project guidance are provided by the County to execute projects that will ultimately improve the safety of County residents. Students can earn 21 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for participation.

“The program is a great learning experience for teens that generates tangible outcomes to improve safety efforts,” said County Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin. “We are empowering teens to advocate for improvements to the built environment, inform their peers about safe behavior and develop programs that address specific safety needs in communities throughout the County.”

At a virtual closing event in June, ambassadors will serve as youth keynote speakers and share their plans, outcomes and best practices in road safety with attendees and special guests.

Learn more about Vision Zero here and follow @VisionZeroMC on Twitter for ongoing updates on the Vision Zero effort in Montgomery County.

For transportation updates, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, and subscribe to MCDOT’s bi-monthly ‘Go Montgomery!’ newsletter.

# # #

Media Contact: Emily DeTitta, 240-372-2282 or [email protected]

Release ID: 22-033
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta 240-372-2282