Street Smart

During the month of April, the Gaithersburg Police Department conducted five Street Smart initiatives to increase awareness of driver and pedestrian safety through education and enforcement efforts. The initiatives were supported by a grant from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Highway Safety Office.

Due to high pedestrian traffic and recent events, the locations chosen for education and enforcement activities included Clopper Road at Firstfield Road, Route 355 at Odend Hal Avenue and Great Seneca Highway at Orchard Ridge Drive. The focus was on pedestrians not properly using crosswalks, drivers failing to stop at clearly marked stop lines and drivers failing to yield to pedestrians. Drivers and pedestrians observed in violation received either a citation or a pre-printed warning.

Officers issued 113 traffic citations and 282 warnings to both pedestrians and drivers and handed out 318 educational brochures to pedestrians during the initiative. Two traffic stops resulted in individuals being charged with driving with suspended licenses.

The Gaithersburg Police Department reminds pedestrians and drivers of the following:

Drivers
 Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.
 Slow down and obey the posted speed limit.
 Use caution when passing stopped vehicles.
 Look for pedestrians stepping out from between parked cars.

Pedestrians
 Cross the street only at marked crosswalks and intersections.
 Before crossing, look left, right, and then left again.
 Use pedestrian pushbuttons.
 Wait for the “Walk” signal to begin crossing the street.
 Wear clothing that makes you as visible as possible, especially after dark and in inclement weather.

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