September 2, 2019

Dear Friends,

As schools resume across Prince George's County, classes and football season begin at the University of Maryland and Purple Line construction continues to ramp up, I urge everyone to pay even more attention to pedestrian and vehicle safety. 

Prince George's County recently launched Vision Zero, a comprehensive plan of action to achieve zero fatalities or serious injuries on County roadways. 

Maryland law requires all passengers wear seat belts. Using a handheld cell phone or device while driving is prohibited. Using a handheld device while driving and not wearing a seat belt in the front seat are both primary offenses in Maryland, meaning you can be pulled over for them. In addition, driver's must stop for pedestrians in cross walks. 

Learn more about Vision Zero here and take the VIsion Zero Pledge today.

Purple Line construction is taking place across the entire light rail alignment--from New Carrollton to Bethesda lane closures and detours are changing regularly. 

Drivers and pedestrians/cyclists need to be hyper-aware in these construction zones. The Purple Line team reminds everyone that safety is their top priority. Please do not walk or ride your bike in construction areas, especially along Veteran's Parkway, where heavy equipment is being used.

If you have not already done so, please take a moment to sign up to receive Purple Line construction updates. You can choose to receive email or text messages. You can even select from among the following portions of the line which areas you want notifications for. 

Drivers, please follow these tips from the MD Motor Vehicle Administration: 

• When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.
• When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking about getting there safely.
• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
• Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.
• Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• Learn and obey the "alternately flashing warning light" system that school bus drivers use to alert motorists.
• Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop vehicles.
• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists approaching from either direction must wait until the red lights stop flashing before proceeding.

Please obey the law and stop for school buses. Many school buses now have cameras to catch passing cars and fines range from $250 to more than $500. Learn more about safety tips for drivers and pedestrians here.

In addition, please plan to join me on Thursday, September 5, for a briefing for District 3 residents on the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite adopted guide to new zones and decision matrix at 7pm at the Parks & Recreation Administration Building, 6600 Kenilworth Ave. Maps of current and draft new zones for all District 3 properties will be available for review at 6:30pm and the presentation will begin at 7pm.

Saturday, September 21, from 10am - 12:30pm at the College Park Airport Operations Building, I will host a District 3 kick-off meeting for the 2020 Census. Please join us!

My staff and I are looking forward to being at many of the community events happening this fall, including New Carrollton Community Day on September 28 and College Park Day on October 5. 

As always, feel free to reach out to a member of my District 3 team or me if we can help you in any way. #onlytogether