Virtual “Safety Week” Events for Elementary and Middle School Students will be held May 16-21

For Immediate Release: Monday, May 16, 2022

Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOTs) Safe Routes to Schools program and Montgomery County Public Schools will host a “Virtual Safety Week” that will begin Monday, May 16, at 8 a.m., and run through Saturday, May 21, at noon. This free, virtual week of activities is for elementary and middle school students and their families and will emphasize the importance of transportation safety for all modes of travel.

“This campaign provides families with a way to encourage safety in a fun way,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “It is important for children to hear safety messaging in a way that they can relate to. It provides a good foundation for positive decision making later in life.”  

This week will include online interactive and creative activities, video demonstrations, raffles and giveaways. Children will have the opportunity to choose from various daily activities that promote safety while walking, biking, riding in a car and taking public transportation. An online calendar is available for students to track their progress. 

Students and their families are encouraged to participate in fun activities each day and to submit one photo demonstrating their participation in at least one of the Safety Week activities by Saturday, May 21, at 11:59 p.m. Twenty random submissions will be selected to receive a $15 Amazon gift card. Winners will be announced on Monday, May 23. Activities and directions on how to participate are posted online. 

Virtual Safety Week is part of Montgomery County’s Vision Zero initiative to end traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. A core piece of the County’s Vision Zero action plan is creating a culture of safety that encourages protective and defensive behaviors that keep everyone safe on the road.

“Building a culture of safety in Montgomery County starts with our kids,” said Wade Holland, the County’s Vision Zero coordinator. “Virtual Safety Week provides the perfect opportunity for kids and parents to interact, learn new skills and talk about safety.”

Virtual Safety Week activities will include:

• Monday Madness: Spot the Difference, Traffic Light Brownies, Build an Egg Carton Dump Truck
• Tuesday Trivia: Traffic Sign Memory Game, Draw a Town Maze, Travel Riddles, Build a Sandwich Car
• Wacky Wednesday: Traffic Safety Maze, Build a Veggie Train, DIY Straw Truck, Zeal Coloring Book
• Thrilling Thursday: Safety Fun Bingo, Safety Item Scavenger Hunt, DIY Construction Light, Build an Apple and Grape Snack Car
• Fun Friday: Safety Pledge commitment to safety, Build a Hotdog Car, Build a Cardboard Car, Build a Busy Town

MCDOT will share selected images from social media that include the hashtag #MoCoSafetyWeek.

For more information about Virtual Safety Week, contact Duwan Morris at duwan.morris@montgomerycountymd.gov. 

For more information on Vision Zero, follow @VisionZeroMC on Twitter or visit montgomerycountymd.gov/visionzero.

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

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Release ID: 22-061
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta 240-372-2282