Press Releases - Department of Transportation

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 21, 2020

Montgomery County’s Virtual Safety Week that was developed for elementary and middle school students and their families generated over 2,500 website visits from May 4 to 8. The event was jointly hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) “Safe Routes to Schools” program and Montgomery County Public Schools. Safety Week emphasized the need to be safe while traveling, whether by walking, biking, bus or other vehicle.

During the week, students participated in at-home interactive and creative activities and video demonstrations. While the event has concluded, the many activities and learning resources remain available online for those who wish to take advantage of them as a learning resource now and through the summer.

“MCDOT is committed to building a culture of safety – starting with our youngest residents,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We are encouraged by the success of this first Virtual Safety Week, and our Safe Routes to Schools program plans to develop more opportunities for kids and parents to interact, learn new skills and talk about safety initiatives that align with our Vision Zero goals to reduce severe and fatal collisions on our roads.”

Virtual Safety Week activities included:

Safety Bingo - Printable bingo cards and pieces with safety related images on them.
Safety Maze - Online maze activity helps identify a safe route from home to school.
Spot the Difference - View two similar safety images and spot the difference.
Scavenger Hunt - Look around your house and neighborhood to find items related to safety.
Safety Pledge - A pledge with tips that parents and children to sign for a commitment to safety.

Virtual Safety Week is part of Montgomery County’s Vision Zero initiative to end traffic-related deaths by 2030. Vision Zero is a proven approach to preventing roadway-related deaths and serious injuries. It represents a fundamental change in the way 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.

For the most up-to-date local transportation information, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, or subscribe to MCDOT news releases. For more information on Vision Zero, follow @VisionZeroMC or visit montgomerycountymd.gov/visionzero.