SHA loaning reflective vests for trick-or-treaters

Even when they’re dressed up as powerful characters, children are not match to a moving vehicle. In an effort to protect the trick or treaters taking to Maryland streets Saturday night, the State Highway Administration is lending reflective vests.

They’re available for kids and their chaperons as a part of the “Vests for Visibility” program through SHA. They’re neon yellow with a shiny silver stripe. On the Eastern Shore, they’re available at the SHA maintenance shops in Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.

Sidney Johnson, with the Maryland State Highway Administration says, “Some of the costumes I see on T.V are all black and everyone knows if you have on all black at night you are not visible until that car is right up on you. This is going to help to protect them. I would almost say with the way things are today it’s almost a necessity to have something like this on.”

Vests started getting picked on Wednesday. Anyone can stop by and grab one between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. However, everyone is required to return the vests after Halloween.