Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montgomery County Council proclaims February Road Safety Month, highlights recent fatalities and Vision Zero work
Summary
The council recognized Road Safety Month and emphasized local efforts — Vision 0, Safe Streets Act and Safe Routes to Schools — to reduce traffic deaths and injuries after county officials noted 47 local traffic fatalities in 2024.
The Montgomery County Council on Feb. 25 proclaimed February as Road Safety Month and spotlighted ongoing county programs aimed at reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries. Council members and public-safety partners cited recent local fatalities and reinforced county investments in pedestrian, bicycle and traffic-safety work.
Councilmember Will Jawando (chair of the Transportation and Environment Committee) and Council President Kate Stewart joined dozens of community advocates and safety professionals at the podium. “You are leading the way to make sure that Montgomery County’s roads are safe for everybody,” Jawando said, adding that his interest in road safety grew from personal experience as a neighborhood resident.
The proclamation quoted Maryland Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office data for 2024, stating that 5,507 people were killed in traffic crashes statewide, including 47 in Montgomery County. Council members said those fatalities are “real people” with “ripple effects” on families and neighborhoods. Councilmember Stewart stressed the role of sidewalks, crosswalks and community advocates in pushing for safety improvements.
Representatives of local groups and government agencies joined the recognition, including Susanne Ludlow (transportation advisory committee), Mindy Baden (transportation chair, Greater Olney Civic Association and Montgomery County Families for Safe Streets), Peter Graham (Washington Area Bicyclists Association and Montgomery County Families for Safe Streets), Chris Conklin (director, Montgomery County Department of Transportation), Wade Holland (Vision Zero coordinator, County Executive’s Office), Michael Paler (chief of traffic engineering, MCDOT) and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue staff.
The proclamation cited collaborative efforts such as Vision 0, the Safe Streets Act and Safe Routes to Schools and said the county aims to design roads that “prioritize safety for all users,” including lowering speeds, improving crosswalks, expanding protected bike lanes and strengthening measures to prevent impaired driving. The council also recognized local volunteers and advocacy groups who track dangerous locations and advocate for improvements.
No regulatory or budget actions were taken during the proclamation portion of the meeting; the recognition is intended to raise awareness and support for ongoing county safety initiatives. The council scheduled forthcoming committee and departmental work on road safety investments and projects through its capital and operating budgeting processes.
