Maryland Travel Safety Week

HOME

November 16th through 22nd is Maryland Travel Safety Week!

As Marylanders prepare to visit loved ones, celebrate traditions, and travel across the state and beyond, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) is recognizing Maryland Travel Safety Week (November 18–24, 2025) by reminding travelers they can take simple actions that can make every trip safer for themselves and others—whether driving, flying, or using other modes of transportation.

Below, you'll find a whole list of tips and advice for safe travels of almost any kind. But these two actions apply to any trip you may take, whether you're just biking to the grocery store or flying cross-county to visit loved ones:

Know Before You Go — Before you head out the door, stay informed and prepared so you know the travel conditions while en route to your destination. Check on road and traffic conditions along your route; check for last-minute delays or cancellations before heading to the airport or train station; and always check local weather forecasts to make sure you pack appropriate clothing and prepare for potential travel delays.
If You See Something, Say Something — If you see a suspicious activity, device, or package, or overhear a suspicious conversation, report it immediately to a facility manager, carrier employee, or law enforcement. If you see accidents or hazards along the roadway or hiking/biking trails, make sure to alert local law enforcement, highway officials, or park employees so they can respond.

How Are You Traveling This Year?

Select the mode of transportation that applies to you, and find out how to make that trip a safe one!

Driving

Over the last few years, the State’s “Move Over Law” has been expanded to require motorists to make a lane change or slow down when approaching ANY stopped, standing, or parked vehicle displaying warning signals – including hazard warning lights, road flares, and other caution signals, including traffic cones, caution signs, and non-vehicular warning signs.

Other tips for drivers include:

Allow extra time for travel due to increased traffic and congestion.
Stay alert and give driving your full attention.
Show courtesy to other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Drive defensively and carefully (not aggressively).
Comply with traffic laws and heed all traffic signs, signals, and markings.
Make sure all passengers are using seat belts and car seats properly.
Make sure to have an emergency kit in your car with jumper cables, snacks, bottled water, and seasonally appropriate items like blankets, sand, or cat litter.
Be especially careful in work zones.
Wear U.S. Department of Transportation-approved helmets and eye protection when driving or riding on a motorcycle.
Make sure that your vehicle is ready for travel. A quick walk around and check of your tires and your fluid levels can save you time and money down the road.
Top off your fuel tank before you leave and know where fuel stops are located along your route.

The Maryland Highway Safety Office of the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration has a variety of resources for safety education programs. You can also check out Maryland's official 511 Traveler Information service, CHART Web, for the latest travel conditions on highways around Maryland. You can also follow traffic conditions on X (formerly Twitter) @MDSHA.

Other information for safe travel on the roads is available from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration or AAA Mid-Atlantic. For information about safety on Maryland toll roads, bridges, and tunnels, please visit the Maryland Transportation Authority. For safety tips related to large commercial vehicles and intercity (non-transit) buses, please visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Flying

Tips for a safe and stress-free flight include:

Arrive early to give yourself ample time to get through the security checkpoint and deal with possible schedule changes.
Stay alert and watch your bags and belongings at all times.
Let ONLY uniformed airline personnel handle your bags.
Check with the information desks or airport/airline employees if you need help navigating the airport.
Be aware of what can and cannot be carried with your carry-on bags and luggage.

It may also be helpful to review this airport safety information and current flight information for Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport, and this general air safety information from the Transportation Security Administration.

Taking a Rideshare or Taxi

Whether you're using a traditional taxi company or a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft, some things you can do to keep the trip smooth, simple, and safe include:

Ask ahead for the typical price and tipping range.
Call for a taxi instead of hailing one.
Make sure you verify the correct driver before getting into the car, if using a shared ride service like Uber or Lyft, by asking what their name is (don’t ask “Is your name so and so”).
Look for a meter, a radio, a badge, a photo ID, and a door handle.
Sit in the backseat – not in the passenger seat.
Keep expensive items hidden and keep your belongings close.

Did you know that Marylanders have a taxi riders' bill of rights? It's true! You can find it and read your rights at this site from the Maryland Public Safety Commission. We've also compiled taxi safety tips from the Travel Insurance Review, and legal resources from HG.org for those using rideshare services, which often are not regulated in the same way as taxi services.

Trains, Light Rail, and Public Transit

Public Transit (e.g., bus, subway, light rail, commuter rail)

To keep your journey safe and secure on any of these services, consider the following:

Check schedules ahead of time and leave sufficient time to make appropriate connections.
Download apps that allow you to check arrival times and pay fares.
Keep jewelry and other valuables out of sight at all times. If your pocket is picked, yell out immediately to warn others; don't be afraid to shout. Tell the train or bus operator and request the police.
Use caution when on rail platforms and at bus drop-offs, especially when surfaces are wet or icy.

We've also got some safety tips from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Administration, which operates Metro bus and rail service in the Washington, D.C. area, and anti-theft tips from the Maryland Transit Administration, which operates bus, subway, and light rail service in the Baltimore metro area.

Traveling by Train

If your holiday travels involve a longer train route, these tips can help you minimize stress and enjoy the ride:

Stay alert and watch your bags and belongings at all times.
Make sure you familiarize yourself with the safety card found in most seatbacks.
Arrive at least 30 minutes before your train is due to depart. Some stations require additional time.
Report any suspicious behavior to police, station personnel, Amtrak Police, or by calling 1-800-331-0008.

More information about intercity rail travel safety can be found at Amtrak's website, and the Federal Railroad Administration has information for motorists and pedestrians at railroad crossings.

Walking or Biking

Walking

To help stay safe as a pedestrian - especially as it starts getting darker outside earlier in the evenings - follow these tips:

Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks whenever possible.
Stop at curbs and look left, right, and left again always before crossing a street and watch for cars turning in or leaving driveways.
Wear light or bright-colored clothing or reflective items, especially before sunrise and after sunset.
Pay attention and take off headphones while walking – no texting or playing games.

The MDOT State Highway Administration has more safety resources for pedestrians, as does the Federal Highway Administration.

Biking

For those getting around on two wheels instead of four, these tips can help get you where you're going safe and on time:

Stop at all red lights and stop signs.
Ride defensively – expect the unexpected.
Ride with traffic, never against it.
Use hand signals when turning or stopping.
Stay visible when riding at night and during inclement weather.
Wear a helmet correctly.

MDOT State Highway Administration has additional bicycle safety tips, as does the Federal Highway Administration.

Staying at a Hotel or Rental Property

Safe travel isn't just about getting where you're going; it's also about making sure you're safe while you're there! Follow these tips to help keep your travel lodgings safe and secure until you head home:

Stay in facilities that have hard-wired smoke alarms and an automatic fire sprinkler system in each guest room.
Read the fire evacuation plan carefully.
Find the two closest exits from your room.
Count the number of doors between your room and the exits; this will assist you if you need to evacuate in the dark.
Find the fire alarms on your floor.
Make sure if the rental is a vacation or private home, the facility has deadbolt locks on all doors and locking windows and has appropriate fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide alarms.
Make sure if a vacation or private home rental has a swimming pool, someone is observing all swimmers and that proper safety equipment is available.
Know the cancellation policy when making a reservation.

You can find additional safety tips for travelers staying at vacation and private home rentals from iPropertyManagement, and also more hotel/motel safety tips from SmarterTravel.

On the Water (Boats, Ferries, etc.)

Whether you're piloting your own recreational boat on a day off or traveling on a passenger vessel (cruise ship or ferry) to get to your holiday celebrations, here are some important safety tips:

Check weather forecasts for approaching fronts or storm watches. By the time a storm or gale warning is issued, it might be too late to get to a safe harbor.
File a Float Plan. If something happens or you are overdue, leaving a Float Plan with a family member or friend will give searchers a starting point to find you.
Download a boating safety app to keep you up to date on state and federal safety regulations, weather reports, as well as offering additional ways to report emergencies, hazards and pollution, or suspicious activity.
Refuse passengers to ride on the bow, gunwale, transom, seatbacks, or other spots where they might fall overboard.
Wear your engine cut-off switch lanyard and your life jacket at all times, and test it before getting underway. If the lanyard is removed from the switch, the engine will not shut off.
Always ensure that you have the correct safety gear for the type of boat that you operate, it is in good condition, items are not expired, it is readily accessible, and you know how to operate it.
Wear a United States Coast Guard-approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) while on a recreational vessel under 21 feet in length if under age 13; this is a law.
Wear an approved PFD at all times, for maximum safety, when on recreational boats. This applies to all persons, no matter how good of a swimmer they are.
Follow all safety directions, read prepared safety material, and participate in all life safety drills on passenger vessels.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has specific information for recreational boats traveling in Maryland waters, including kayaks and rowboats. The United States Coast Guard also has boater safety information. The Maryland Port Administration has information for people traveling out of the Baltimore cruise ship terminal. The Cruise Critic also has some tips for traveling safely on cruise ships.