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Street Smart

Street Smart Campaign

Cross like your life depends on it. Be Street Smart. Street Smart is a public education, awareness and behavioral change campaign.  The program emphasizes education of motorists and pedestrians through mass media. In addition, Street Smart is aimed to direct local enforcement to locations where enforcement can raise the awareness of the rights and responsibilities of drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclist to look out for one another on the roadway. 

Drivers should stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.  Pedestrians should use crosswalk, obey signals and cross at intersections.  Learning to be Street Smart reminds us of the importance to use crosswalks, obey signals, and Share the Road with Pedestrians and Bicyclists before it’s too late.

The 2007 Maryland Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) proposed the development of a public information, education and awareness campaign to address pedestrian and bicycle safety. The SHSP specifically identified a "Street Smart" campaign, as well as the coordination necessary to provide targeted pedestrian enforcement operations by the end of FY 2010.
 
Why is Street Smart needed?
  • The Baltimore region averages 1,700 pedestrian and 500 bicycle crashes each year, resulting in an average of 52 fatalities per year.
  • Thirty-four percent of all pedestrian and bicycle crashes in Maryland occur in Baltimore City.
  • Statewide in 2008: 115 lives lost were pedestrians and 2,469 pedestrians were injured, in a total of 2,822 crashes.  In addition, 7 Bicyclist lives were lost and another 633 injured in a total of 799 bicyclist involved crashes.
  • In the Baltimore region in 2008:  44 pedestrians lost their lives and 4 bicyclists died
  • The Baltimore region represents 39% of the total fatalities and more than half the crashes and injuries across our state.

Street Smart 2010

After a successful Street Smart campaign launch in the Fall 2009 (See Final Report - pdf, 320 kb), Street Smart returns to broaden the impact of educating and enforcing the laws that aim to enhance pedestrian and bicyclist safety. 

Street Smart Outreach ToolStreet Smart provides educational outreach for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers to raise awareness of the rules that protect our most vulnerable road users.  2010 outreach activities launched in May to describe the problem and target locations in each jurisdiction through editorials, public safety announcements, and posted web content.  Maps, crash data, laws and information about the dangers of speeding and the financial impact of a crash are promoted through the Street Smart campaign.

Street Smart 2010 aims to provide highly visible street teams that canvas mixed-use neighborhoods adjacent to high intensity bicycle and pedestrian crash locations (View Crash Data).  There are opportunities to get involved such as the internet, web, radio and other media. Visit our resource page for more details.

Spread the word about Street Smart!

Visit our Street Smart Campaign Resource page to download posters, advertisements, sample e-mail messages, brochures, photos, radio spots, videos and more.  


For more information:

Bala Akundi, bakundi@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1019

Stephanie Yanovitz, syanovitz@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1055




Links within this web site:

Drive Safe Baltimore

Safety Tips brochure (pdf)

Street Smart Campaign Resources


Links to other web sites:

Street Smart (Washington, DC) 

Last Updated on Thursday, 08 July 2010 14:06

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