2023 Ocean City Walk Smart, Drive Smart, Bike Smart Safety Campaign Underway
The Memorial Day weekend is just two weeks away and Maryland Transportation officials joined state and local officials in Ocean City this week to kick off the 2023 Ocean City Walk Smart, Drive Smart, Bike Smart safety campaign. You’ll find “Cheswick the Crab” throughout the resort with safety messages to help save lives and prevent injuries on Ocean City’s roads. Summer visitors swell Ocean City to Maryland’s second largest city – with over 50,000 vehicles trying to share Coastal Highway and the other resort roads with pedestrians and bikes and scooters. The goal is to keep everyone – both residents and visitors – safe.
Additional information from the MDOT:
In the campaign, Cheswick reminds pedestrians to Walk Smart with the following tips:
• Press the crosswalk button before crossing Coastal Highway.
• Cross at and within marked crosswalks.
• Look, pay attention and then cross.
• Follow all traffic signal signs and lane markings.
• Make eye contact and be seen by drivers.
Cheswick reminds drivers to Drive Smart:
• Drive sober: Never drive a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. It’s the law in Maryland.
• Slow down. Watch for and yield to pedestrians, especially when turning.
• Keep your eyes on the road.
• Avoid all distractions. It’s illegal to text and use hand-held devices while driving.
• Share the road with bicyclists and give 3 feet of space when passing.
• Check your rearview and/or side mirrors for bikes in the bike lane before turning right.
• Avoid driving in bus lanes.
Cheswick also reminds bicyclists to Bike Smart:
• Stop at all red lights and stop signs.
• Ride in the direction of traffic flow.
• Do not ride on the sidewalk. It’s illegal and dangerous.
• Ride sober. Never ride a bicycle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Avoid distractions and pay attention.
• Use bike lights if riding after dark.
In addition to promoting safety messages, State Highway Administration has made several engineering improvements including sidewalk, curbing, crosswalk and signing upgrades, installing median fencing, improving lighting and lengthening turn lanes.
The campaign, a staple in Ocean City since 2013, originally featured the crab as a lifeguard helping vacationers safely cross and navigate busy Ocean City streets. The mascot was renamed “Cheswick” as a tribute to Matthew Cheswick, a young pedestrian who was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking along Coastal Highway in 2012.
