Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Streetsblog USA

Awful Pedestrian Shaming Campaign Gets the Smackdown It Deserves

Montgomery County, Maryland, used this ill-considered poster to blame pedestrians who are hit by cars. Photo: Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Maryland, thought this was a good public safety message. Photo: Montgomery County
false

This PSA from Montgomery County, Maryland, has got to be one of the all-time worst examples of pedestrian shaming. The young girl with tire treads across her face, it's implied, was struck and killed by a driver because she was "wearing black."

The message was the county's response to two recent pedestrian fatalities. According to the county, police will be ticketing drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists who break laws. The victim-blaming posters combined with the everyone-gets-fined approach to enforcement tells us this "safety campaign" won't make pedestrians any safer.

On Twitter, Colin Browne succinctly summed up what's wrong with Montgomery County's approach:

.@MontgomeryCoMD here I fixed it for you pic.twitter.com/yJKfUVcKKT

— Colin (@ColinTBrowne) November 3, 2016

Can Montgomery County replace its campaign imagery with Colin's version?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Metro Committee Again Sides with Nimbys, Postpones Key North K Line Rail Decision

The committee postponing approval empowers anti-rail nimbys opposed to Metro tunneling far deep beneath homes

March 18, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines

ICE, record heat, WeHo, Metro, World Cup, gas prices, speed cameras, San Gabriel River path, Long Beach, car-nage and more

March 18, 2026

Pasadena Seeks Input for Transit Service Overhaul

Several lines could be condensed on the north side of town, a new line is proposed from Huntington Hospital to JPL, and Dial-A-Ride could give same day service.

March 17, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines

Record heat, Santa Monica, LAX people mover, Culver City, westside bus lanes, K Line, Griffith Park, MacArthur Park, car-nage and more.

March 17, 2026

This Week In Livable Streets

Metro NoHo-Pasadena BRT meeting in Burbank tonight, Westside safety project meetings, Metro board committees, SGV bike rides, and more.

March 16, 2026

Eyes on the Street: Short New Protected Bike Lane on Pacific Avenue

Installed as part of Downtown Long Beach's Resa mixed-use development, the northbound protected bike lane extends for one block, immediately south of the Metro A Line Pacific Avenue Station

March 16, 2026
See all posts