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Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation, Public Schools, Council of PTAs and Safe Routes to School Will Host First Family ‘Safety Day’ on Saturday, May 2, in Rockville; Still Accepting Vendors

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 3, 2020

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), the Safe Routes to Schools program, Montgomery County Public Schools and the Montgomery County Council of Parent Teacher Associations on Saturday, May 2, will jointly host the County’s first free family “Safety Day” at the Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville. The day’s goal is to encourage drivers, bicyclists and walkers to look out for each other and take steps to enhance road safety. 

The Carver Educational Services Center is located at 850 Hungerford Dr. in Rockville. The event will be held between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will be accessible by public transit from the Rockville Metro Station via Ride On Routes 55 and 46 and Metrobus Route Q6. Free parking will be available.

While stressing the need to be safe and look out for others in all forms of travel, the event will feature free food, a variety of games, raffles and giveaways. Community representatives, vendors and County agencies will promote the health benefits of walking and biking; fire safety; and pedestrian, bicycle and traffic safety. 

Safety Day is a part of Montgomery County’s Vision Zero initiative to end traffic-related deaths on roads by 2030. Vision Zero is a proven approach to preventing roadway-related deaths and serious injuries. It represents a fundamental change in how the County plans and designs its roads, shifting from a focus on maximizing motor vehicle efficiency to ensuring that roads are safe regardless of whether travel is by car, bus, bicycle or foot.

“Building a culture of safety in Montgomery County starts with our kids. Safety Day provides the perfect opportunity for kids and parents alike to learn new skills in a safe and fun environment.” said Wade Holland, the County’s Vision Zero coordinator.

The Safety Day event will include:
  • Pop-Up Traffic Garden—A miniature traffic course where children can learn rules of the road and how to navigate roads safely.
  • Street Design Simulator—Kids can experience how to design streets and learn about signs and signals.
  • Zeal, MCDOT's pedestrian safety zebra, and Sparky, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s mascot – They will distribute safety literature in English and Spanish, reflective stickers and other items.
  • Bike Clinic hosted by BiModal Solutions—Children can learn the basic concepts of bike safety while interacting with others.
  • Another Safety Day highlight will be the regional Street Smart Virtual Reality interactive experience. It is a traveling educational exhibit that helps families test their abilities to navigate driving challenges and learn how to look for pedestrians and bicyclists. 

The event is still accepting applications from vendors. More information is available from Duwan Morris at Duwan.Morris@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Although advance registration to attend is not required, the Safety Day organizers are encouraging attendees to RSVP. This can be done at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/montgomery-county-safety-day-tickets-91626702935?aff=ebdssbeac.


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Release ID: 20-067
Media Contact: Hannah Henn 240-777-8389