By now you may have seen it on television or heard it on the radio.
It’s a powerful message of highway work zone safety, delivered by children urging Marylanders to help their fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers and grandparents get home safely every day.
“Behind every project we are all connected,” says one youngster in the video.
“My dad works here,” says another.
“My mom works here,” adds a third.
“Work zone safety… is everybody’s responsibility!” say two other children.
In all, 19 youngsters – all children or grandchildren of SHA employees – took part in the “MDOT SHA Respect the Zone So We All Get Home” public service announcement produced by the State Highway Administration.
The video has received strong reaction. In less than two weeks, posts on SHA’s social media platforms featuring the video received 10,236 views on Facebook, 3,456 views on X and 896 views on Instagram.
SHA shared the video with other Maryland Department of Transportation modes as well as partner agencies such as Maryland State Police, and many have placed it on their social media platforms as well.
It was also shared with statewide media. WBAL-TV put the video on its website and social media channels and Audacy Radio, affiliated with stations including WLIF 101.9 FM, Mix 106.5 and 105.7 The Fan, accepted it for use as an audio PSA.
The video was the brainchild of Vicki Rohe, Special Assistant to SHA’s Hanover Deputy Chief Operations Officer Teri Soos, and was recorded and produced by Adam Shinn, Videographer and Digital Media Manager in the SHA Office of Communications.
The video complements a package of work zone safety outreach materials and the National Work Zone Safety Week event hosted by SHA, all using the “Respect the Zone So We All Get Home” theme.
Rohe said the idea for the video evolved during planning for a Bring Your Child to Work event in April. She thought that event would be an opportunity to record some of the attending children sharing safety messages about their loved ones.
“Seeing this video come to fruition has been one of the highlights of my career,” Rohe said. “This message is not only impactful, but also meaningful. I hope it helps bring awareness to work zone safety.
“Hearing it from the mouth of babes really hits home.”
Jim Joyner is a deputy director of communications at the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration.