Happening Now: MCDOT Hosts “Virtual Safety Week”

MCDOT Hosting “Virtual Safety Week”

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is hosting it’s 2nd annual “Virtual Safety Week” now through May 21. Virtual Safety Week aims to remind children and parents about the importance of pedestrian, bicycle and traffic safety.

Today’s “Thrilling Thursday” events include Safety Fun Bingo, Safety Item Scavenger Hunt, DIY Construction Light, Build an Apple and Grape Snack Car.

Visit montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-PedSafety/safety-week/index.html for more information.

Press release:

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Safe Routes to Schools program and Montgomery County Public Schools will host a “Virtual Safety Week” online event that will begin Monday, May 17, at 8 a.m., through Friday, May 21, at 5 p.m. This free, weeklong event is for elementary and middle school students and their families and will emphasize the importance of transportation safety while traveling throughout the community using all forms of travel.

The 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 will be available for students to track their progress.

Students and their families are encouraged to participate in a list of fun activities each day and submit a photo demonstrating their participation by 5 p.m., Friday, May 21, to be considered for prizes and recognition.

Virtual Safety Week aims to remind children and parents about the importance of pedestrian, bicycle and traffic safety. The interactive activities and how to participate will be posted online at montgomerycountymd.gov/safetyweek.

Twenty random submissions will be selected to receive a $15 Amazon gift card and prize winners will be announced on Monday, May 24.

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 prevent 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,” 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 [email protected] or follow event activities on Facebook or Instagram.

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

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