PTSA discusses pedestrian safety

Christy Huddle, Montgomery County Pedestrian Safety Coordinator, spoke to the Blair PTSA yesterday, Aug. 16, in an effort to help improve pedestrian awareness and safety around the school. In her speech, Huddle noted several dangerous student habits when using crosswalks and fielded questions regarding ways to improve pedestrian safety at Blair.

Pedestrian Safety at Blair

Photo: Christy Huddle, Montgomery County Pedestrian Safety Coordinator, gives PTSA members her recommendations as to how pedestrian safety can be improved at Blair.

Christy Huddle, Montgomery County Pedestrian Safety Coordinator, gives PTSA members her recommendations as to how pedestrian safety can be improved at Blair. Photo courtesy of Christopher Consolino.

The foremost problem for Blair, said Huddle, is the school's location at the intersection of two major roads prone to speeding motorists. According to the Montgomery County Department of Public Works, the typical speed limit for a school zone in Montgomery County is 25 mph. "If your going 25 mph, most people will survive," said Huddle. "40 mph [the speed limit around Blair] is a killing speed."

When considering neighborhood traffic, 85 percent of those who speed in residential zones are the residents themselves, said Huddle. The problem, however, is not limited to speeding. According to Huddle, many drivers are simply unaware of pedestrian laws and fail to recognize walkers' right of way when crossing intersections, contributing greatly to the yearly average of 18 pedestrian deaths and 500 injuries in Montgomery County.

Huddle also discussed possible solutions to the safety problem, which included parents making a consorted effort to obey the law when driving or walking with their children. "The parents have to know that they are setting a bad example," said Huddle, also noting that she often sees children telling their parents when not to cross a street.

In addition to adults setting better examples, Huddle recommended fences on road medians, such as those at the White Oak Shopping Center on New Hampshire Ave., which force pedestrians to cross at intersections. Regarding safety awareness, Huddle said that she would love to see pedestrian safety events with media coverage at more schools.

No new measures or funding for pedestrian safety at Blair were passed; however, the PTSA does plan to follow up on several of the suggestions made by Huddle. According to PTSA Co-President Fran Rothstein, the organization hopes to work in conjunction with the student government on the issue of pedestrian safety.