La Abuelina, the animated Spanish-speaking character created during COVID-19, comes to a crosswalk near you so pedestrians, cyclists and drivers will be safer.
La Abuelina joined the Vision Zero Initiative through August and will spread the word on how to use hybrid beacons, the traffic devices located at mid-block crosswalks or intersections. By pushing a button, pedestrians and cyclists trigger a pre-timed traffic signal or flashing beacon alerting drivers someone is crossing the street. The flashing beacon remains off until someone pushes the call button.
Once activated, the beacon turns yellow and then red, both flashing and constant, warning drivers when to slow down and stop.
“Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons are an attractive and cost-effective option to meet pedestrian safety needs, typically at mid-block crossings or where traffic or pedestrian volumes are too low to warrant a standard traffic signal,” said Chris Conklin, director of the County’s Department of Transportation. “When looking at locations for the beacons, we consider the volume of pedestrian traffic, the type of roadway, traffic speeds and sight lines. We have recently installed about 10 of them in the County and have another 10 planned.”
The grandmother figure is credited with encouraging Spanish speakers to get vaccinated. She proved so successful, even winning an Emmy, that County Executive Marc Elrich had her character copywritten.
Now, La Abuelina is part of the county’s social media campaign for pedestrian safety and pop-up events concerning the beacons.
“I am glad that she will now be a part of our Vision Zero efforts to promote pedestrian safety on our roads. With this new campaign, Abuelina is helping spread the word about new pedestrian hybrid beacons, so our residents know how and when to safely cross,” Elrich said.
The character’s schedule includes stops at:
- Saturday, July 29, Noon- 4 p.m., Plaza del Mercado, 2211 Bel Pre Road, Silver Spring
- Wednesday, August 2, 4-8 p.m., Aspen Hill Shopping Center, 13661 Connecticut Avenue, Silver Spring
- Saturday, August 5, Noon – 4 p.m., Aspen Hill Shopping Center, 13661 Connecticut Avenue, Silver Spring
“Last year Montgomery County had 566 crashes involving a pedestrian or bicyclist. Tragically, 19 residents were killed. This is why I introduced the Safe Streets Act, to make more of our roads safer for all users,” noted County Council President Evan Glass.
“With 17 percent of our County’s population speaking Spanish at home, and an over representation among the Latino community for motor vehicle crashes – 85 percent higher among the Latino population — culturally competent traffic safety messaging is imperative to saving lives.”
La Abuelina Family and the COVID-19 Vaccine was produced by Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services’ Latino Health Initiative.
It's 🥵, but we 😍 talking about safety! Join us today 4-8pm at Plaza del Mercado, 2211 Bel Pre Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20906 to learn about Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons. Learn more at https://t.co/x3AxJRc94U#CrossSafe #LessonsFromAbuelina #VisionZero #PedestrianHybridBeacons pic.twitter.com/GSwsMqAKQK
— Mont Co Vision Zero (@VisionZeroMC) July 26, 2023
