BALTIMORE, MD—As Marylanders prepare for the New Year and set new resolutions for 2020, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) is reminding motorists of Five to Arrive Alive, a list of highway safety tips designed to help drivers, passengers and pedestrians stay safe on Maryland roadways.

“We all have a responsibility to make safe and smart decisions on the road. Following these resolutions are a great way to keep yourself and others safe,” said MDOT MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer, who also serves as Governor Larry Hogan’s Highway Safety Representative. “We want everyone to arrive safely at their destination, whether walking, biking or driving.”

Five to Arrive Alive

1. Buckle Up: Every Seat, Every Time – In 2018, 105 of the people killed in crashes on Maryland’s roads were not wearing seat belts. Seat belts are proven to be one of the best ways to preserve life in a crash.

2. Make a Plan – One-third of fatalities and serious injuries on Maryland roadways involve an impaired driver. Designate a sober driver, be the sober driver, or make a plan for a safe and sober ride home through a taxi, rideshare service or public transportation.

3. Park the Phone – Maryland law forbids talking or texting on a handheld phone while driving, including while stopped at a traffic light. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At a speed of 55 mph, those five seconds equate to traveling the length of a football field blindfolded.

4. Share the Road – Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians must look up and look out for one another and obey traffic laws and signals. Always stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, marked and unmarked, and give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing.

5. Slow Down – Many crashes occur when drivers exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for the conditions. Leave a few minutes early and take some extra time to get to your destination.

Additionally, to keep police and other emergency responders safe, motorists are reminded to MOVE OVER if it is safe to do so, or slow down when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle using its visual signals.

Motorists are encouraged to take the MDOT Traffic Safety Pledge, and to ask others to commit to safety. Educating family members, friends, co-workers and classmates helps share the message of responsibility and safe driving practices.