When to Put the Brakes On

This week, Montgomery County Government, Police and Public Schools are teaming up to educate drivers about the importance of complying with Maryland laws pertaining to stopped school buses with activated flashing lights and stop arms. A new easy-viewing informational outreach campaign, #PassItOn, is being launched through social media.

We here at MCFRS support this vital safety initiative to keep our kids safe!  Please take a moment to view the video.

 

Montgomery County Firefighters to Join Area Students in Annual Walk to School Day Events on October 3, 2012

Montgomery County, MD - - -  Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel will be joining students around the County to celebrate Walk to School Day to raise awareness and promote pedestrian safety. Thousands of students from schools in Montgomery County will be participating in this year’s event. Walk to School Day events raise awareness and create safer routes for walking and bicycling while emphasizing the importance of increasing physical activity among children and promoting pedestrian safety.

While many schools in the area will be participating in Walk to School programs, a number of local and elected officials will be joining students at Piney Branch Elementary School in Takoma Park and Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari and other national, state and local guests will join a group of Piney Branch Elementary students in Takoma Park, Md., on Wednesday morning as a part of Montgomery County's Walk to School Day celebration. Media are invited to join in the programs on Wednesday, October 3, 2012:

         Where: Piney Branch Elementary School
                       7510 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park

         Time:    8:45 a.m. – Walkers will meet at 7620 Maple Avenue       

                       9:05 a.m. – Walk along Maple Avenue to Piney Branch Elementary School

                       9:20 a.m. – School-wide assembly and award presentation


         Where:  Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School

                        1200 Swingingdale Drive, Silver Spring

         Time:     8:40 a.m. – Walkers will meet at the Good Hope Community Center

                        9:05 a.m. – Walk to Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School
                        9:25 a.m. -   School-wide assembly

Sponsors of this year’s event include Safe Kids Montgomery County, Federal Express, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Foundation for Safety and Education, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, Montgomery County Police, Maryland Safe Routes Network, Maryland Highway Safety Office and Safe Routes to School National Partnership. Event will be held rain or shine. The assembly portion of the program will be moved indoors if the weather is inclement.   

Below was shot today, October 3rd, by Battalion Chief Charles Bailey as Station 24's crew participated in Walk to School Day at Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School.                                                    

Slow Down, Watch Out! Kids Ahead. Back to School Safety Tips

Rockville - - - Children across the region are heading back to school and Fire Chief Richie Bowers is asking drivers to exercise extra caution as the school year begins. “Safety is our top priority. With schools back in session, drivers should allow extra time and be on the look-out for kids at intersections and in roadways,”said Chief Bowers. “Additionally, as a matter of safety and compliance with laws, drivers are reminded to put their cell phones down and refrain from talking or texting while driving.”

For Drivers

• Be alert and slow down. Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. Put down your phone and don’t talk or text while driving.
• Exercise extra caution as you head out to work and be on the lookout for school buses. Many bus routes or schedules change each year and you may encounter a school bus or stop where you may have never seen one before. Be alert. For many children this may be the first time they have ever traveled on a bus.
• Each passenger should wear a seat belt and/or ride in an age and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat. Children of all ages are safest when properly restrained in the backseat.
• Take extra time when making a right turn on a red light. This can be a dangerous situation for pedestrians.
• School Zones: Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and around schools. Be alert to children as you back out of your driveway or exit your garage.
• Expect delays near schools, plan ahead and allow extra time to reach your destination.

• Safety on the road is especially important for “new” drivers that may be driving to school for the first time.
  

Reminders for Parents and Children 

• Be realistic about your child’s pedestrian skills. Children are not always aware of their surroundings and may dart into traffic assuming drivers will see and stop for them. Carefully consider whether your child is ready to walk to school or wait for the bus without adult supervision and walk the route with your child beforehand.
• Children often have a hard time judging speed and distance and should cross the street with an adult until they are at least 10 years old. Teach children to always cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks and look left, right and left again before crossing.
• If traveling to school by bike, obey the rules of the road and wear a helmet! Not only is it the smart thing to do, it is also the law in Maryland.
• Be sure that your child knows his or her phone number and address, your work number and when to call 911 for emergencies.
• Only drive or park in authorized areas when picking up or dropping off students at school.
• Be a good neighbor. Respect private property and always be on your best behavior while waiting for the bus. 

School Bus Safety – What Motorists Should Know 

All motorists are required by law to stop when the red lights on buses are flashing. Passing a school bus when the red lights are flashing is not only illegal it is also one of the biggest threats to student safety. Motorists should be aware that the red flashing lights and the stop sign may be engaged shortly after the amber lights are on. Vehicles traveling in the same direction as the bus are always required to stop. In Maryland, the law states that vehicles must come to a complete stop on both sides of the roadway if there is no physical divider or barrier. Violations can result in a citation and fine. 
County police remind motorists that the violations of these Maryland Transportation Articles may results in the following penalties:  speeding in a school zone incurs a fine of up to $1,000.00 and 5 points on your license and passing a school bus with flashing red lights incurs a fine of $570.00 and 3 points on your license.  Parents who bring their children to school or pick them up after school are reminded to obey the “No Parking, No Stopping and No Standing” signs in a school zone.  A violation of these signs incurs a fine of $50.00.

Home Alone

Parents need to carefully consider the pros and cons of having a child stay home alone before/after school. Be familiar with laws and child protective policies in your jurisdiction and, because children mature at different rates, your decision should not be based on age alone. Children should master important safety skills before staying home alone. Be sure to make and practice a home fire escape plan that includes a designated “safe” area outside where everyone will meet if the smoke alarm sounds and ensure they know when and how to call 9-1-1 in an emergency. Unattended cooking continues to be the leading cause of home fires in Montgomery County and firefighters strongly recommend having after school snacks on hand that do not require cooking. Children should only use kitchen appliances while under close adult supervision. Additional safety tips can be found on our website at mcfrs.org/mcsafe.

For the law in Maryland:
Section 5-801 provides:
(a) A person who is charged with the care of a child under the age of 8 years may not allow the child to be locked or confirmed in a dwelling, building, enclosure or motor vehicle while the person charged is absent and the dwelling, building, enclosure or motor vehicle is out of the sight of the person charged unless the person charged provides a reliable person at least 13 years old to remain with the child to protect the child.

Montgomery County Firefighters to Join Area Students in Annual Walk to School Day Events Around the County

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  October 4, 2011

 

Rockville - - -  Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel will be joining students around the County to celebrate International Walk to School Day to raise awareness and promote pedestrian safety. Thousands of students from 36 schools in Montgomery County will be participating in this year’s annual event. Walk to School events raise awareness and create safer routes for walking and bicycling while emphasizing the importance of increasing physical activity among children and promoting pedestrian safety.  

County Executive Ike Leggett, MCPS Superintendent Joshua Starr and other officials will be joining students at Captain James E. Daly, Jr. Elementary School in Germantown, Maryland for the event. Media are invited to join in the program. 

When:  Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Where: Captain James E. Daly, Jr. Elementary School  
              20301 Brandermill Drive, Germantown, Maryland

Time:   8:30 a.m. – Walkers will meet at Clear Spring Park to walk to the school           

             9:00 a.m. – Assembly behind the school on the blacktop

           10:00 a.m. – School-wide pedestrian and traffic safety assembly

* Event will be held rain or shine. The assembly portion of the program will be moved indoors if the weather is inclement.
 

                                                              # # # 

News Advisory: Back to School Safety Tips - Cell Phones and Driving DON’T Mix

Cell Phones and Driving DON’T Mix

Sign off before you drop off and hang up before you pick up

Rockville - - - Children across the region are heading back to school and Fire Chief Richie Bowers is asking drivers to exercise extra caution as the school year begins. “With schools back in session, drivers should take extra time to be on the look-out for kids at intersections and in roadways,”said Chief Bowers. “Additionally, as a matter of safety and compliance with laws, drivers are reminded to put their cell phones down and refrain from talking or texting while driving.”

For Drivers

• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. Put down your phone and don’t talk or text while driving.

• All passengers should wear a seat belt and/or an age and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat.

• All children younger than 13 years of age should ride in the back seat of vehicles. If you must drive more children than can fit in the back seat (i.e., for example, when carpooling) move the front-seat passenger’s seat as far back as possible.

• Be watchful for bus riders. For many children this may be the first time they have ridden a bus.

• Exercise extra caution as you head out to work and be on the watch for school buses. Many bus routes or schedules change each year, and you may encounter a school bus where you have never seen one before.

• School Zones: Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and around schools.

• Slow down: Be alert to children as you back out of your driveway or exit your garage.

• Safety on the road is especially important for “new” drivers that may be driving to school for the first time.

Reminders for Parents and Children

• Be realistic about your child’s pedestrian skills. Children are not always aware of their surroundings and may dart into traffic assuming drivers will see and stop for them. Carefully consider whether your child is ready to walk to school or wait for the bus without adult supervision.

• Children should cross the street with an adult until they are at least 10 years old.

• Always cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.

• Bus riders need to make sure they always walk in front of the bus where the driver can see them.

• Always look both ways before crossing the street and never enter streets from between parked cars or from behind shrubbery.

• If traveling to school by bike, obey the rules of the road and wear a helmet! Not only is it the smart thing to do, it is also the law in Maryland.

• Be a good neighbor. Respect private property and always be on your best behavior while waiting for the bus.

School Bus Safety – What Motorists Should Know

All drivers need to stop when the lights on school buses are flashing. Drivers should be aware Maryland law states that vehicles must come to a complete stop on both sides of the street if there is no physical divider or barrier. Drivers who pass the bus before all lights have ceased flashing may face the following consequences:

- Drivers who pass school buses while the lights are flashing will receive a citation that carries a maximum fine of $570 and a 3-point penalty.

- Drivers who stop but then proceed while the lights are flashing will receive a citation that carries a maximum fine of $570 and a 2-point penalty.

Home Alone

Parents need to carefully consider the pros and cons of having a child stay home alone before/after school. Be familiar with laws and child protective policies in your jurisdiction and, because children mature at different rates, your decision should not be based on age alone. Children should master important safety skills before staying home alone. Be sure to make and practice a home fire escape plan that includes a designated “safe” area outside where everyone will meet if the smoke alarm sounds, ensure they know when and how to call 9-1-1 in an emergency and unattended cooking continues to be the leading cause of home fires in Montgomery County. Firefighters strongly recommend having after school snacks on hand that do not require cooking and that children only use kitchen appliances while under close adult supervision. Additional safety tips can be found on our website at mcfrs.org/mcsafe. For the law in Maryland:

Section 5-801 provides:

(a) A person who is charged with the care of a child under the age of 8 years may not allow the child to be locked or confirmed in a dwelling, building, enclosure or motor vehicle while the person charged is absent and the dwelling, building, enclosure or motor vehicle is out of the sight of the person charged unless the person charged provides a reliable person at least 13 years old to remain with the child to protect the child.

# # #

Watch the Kids - County Schools Start Today!

Fire Chief Richard Bowers wants to remind everyone that today is the first day of school for Montgomery County Public Schools and about 142,000 students.  Please take a moment to review the below safety tips from the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education and AAA:

 

Drivers Tips to Keep School Children Safe


* Slow down in or near school and residential areas.

* Drive with your headlights on - even during the day - so children and other drivers can see you.

* Look for clues such as School Safety Patrols, Adult Crossing Guards, bicycles, and playgrounds, which indicate children could be in the area.

* Always stop for school buses that are loading/unloading students.

* Limit distractions such as cell phones, CD players or other devices that cause you to take your eyes off the road.

* Practice extra caution in adverse weather conditions.

* Pay particular attention near schools during the morning and afternoon hours.

* Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs that children could dart into the road.


Safe Walking Tips for Children

* Always obey Adult Crossing Guards and AAA School Safety Patrols.

* Before crossing - look all ways.

* Obey all traffic signals.

* Use crosswalks and corners to cross the road.

* Where there is no sidewalk and it is necessary to walk in the roadway, walk facing traffic and as far from the roadway as possible.

* Avoid crossing between parked cars.

* Watch for cars. Be sure that the way is clear before you cross.

Remember, school's open - drive carefully. You can make a difference just by staying alert and taking the extra care while driving where children are present.