Sheriff Mike Evans and the Calvert County
Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the
citizens of Calvert County. As we
approach the upcoming summer season, Sheriff Evans would like to remind the
public of a few simple safety tips to keep you out of harm’s way.
One of the best ways to stay safe this summer
is to wear a helmet and other safety gear when biking, skating, skateboarding,
and when riding scooters and all-terrain vehicles. Studies on bicycle helmets have shown that
they can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent. While bicycling, obey the rules of the road. Wear
bright-colored or reflective clothing while riding and always ride with traffic
– never against it.
When jogging with others on the roadway, run
in single file. Utilize sidewalks where available and always jog while facing
traffic. Use extreme caution when crossing streets and at intersections, as
passing motorist may not see you. Wear light colored or reflective clothing to
aid visibility.
If children are home alone, make sure that
they have a list of phone numbers (neighbors, friends, family) that they can
call if they should become frightened or in the event of an emergency. Assure
that the children know how to call 911 when it is appropriate to do so. Also,
establish a schedule for the child to check in with parents during the day.
Children should always be required to check in
with a parent or trusted contact person before leaving the house and when
returning home. Parents should know the route the child will be taking to and
from a given location. Remind the child never to take shortcuts or deviate from
the agreed upon route. Make sure your
children know that they should never talk to anyone that they do not know.
Teach your children that it is best to travel as a group when going places.
There is safety in numbers.
Most importantly, watch your speed. As many
neighborhoods are full of children in the summertime, it is imperative that
motorists obey the posted speed limits. Our goal is to save lives; drivers need
to be aware and responsible while behind the wheel. Drive the way that you want people to drive
in front of your home.
Please
remember the school zones are in effect all year round, to include the summer months. The speed cameras are active throughout the
year, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. They will monitor the school zones and issue
a citation to any vehicle that is 12 mph or more over the speed limit. The camera will adjust the limits for the
reduced speed times. A violation carries
a $40.00 fine with no points.
If you have any questions or concerns about
the Calvert County Safety for Students program, please contact Captain Brent
Parrott at 410-535-1600 ext. 2584, or email at parrottb@co.cal.ms.us.
