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New Campaign To Prevent Pedestrian-Involved Crashes

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- When Daylight Saving Time ends in ten days, transportation officials fear more pedestrians will be hit as they walk in the dark.

But there are simple tips we can follow to help prevent tragedy, WJZ's Mike Schuh reports.

Maryland is spending $500,000 to get out the "Look Up, Look Out" message, which includes simple instructions like using crosswalks.

"So what we're finding is that 65 percent of those pedestrian fatalities are not in the crosswalk," said Gregory Slater, Deputy Administrator of the Maryland State Highway Administration.

Another common sense idea: City and state officials say all of us -- pedestrians and drivers -- need to get our heads out of cell phones.

"So when you're a driver and you're looking at your phone, you're making those pedestrians much more vulnerable. So pay attention to the road, the texts can wait, and everybody gets home safe," Slater says.

Around 100 pedestrians per year die in Maryland -- most from the Baltimore area.

"And this time of year, the numbers of pedestrian crashes spike up," said Frank Murphy, Acting Director, Baltimore City Department of Transportation.

On Thursday, the city and state teamed up to unveil the new campaign.

"Pedestrians are our most vulnerable roadway users and they certainly are no match in a crash with two tons of metal in a vehicle," said Christine E. Nizer, Administrator, Motor Vehicle Administration and Governor Larry Hogan's  Highway Safety Representative.

And one last trick: Wear bright clothes while walking when it's dark.

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