The statewide “Watch for Me NC” program aims to reduce pedestrian and bicycle injuries and deaths through community engagement and partnerships with local law enforcement.
The program, which started as a pilot program in Wake, Durham, and Orange counties in 2012, invites communities across North Carolina to become partner communities. We all share the responsibility to ensure our roads are safe for everyone. Having various secure areas to walk and bike is essential for supporting active, vibrant communities.
A Statewide Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program
The Watch for Me NC program involves two key elements: 1. safety and educational messages directed toward drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and 2. high visibility enforcement efforts by area police to reduce violations of traffic safety laws.
Local Watch for Me NC programs are typically led by municipal, county, or regional government staff with others, including pedestrian and bicycle advocates, city planners, law enforcement agencies, engineers, public health professionals, elected officials, school administrators, and more.
The 2021 campaign is supported by the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Integrated Mobility Division and the Governor’s Highway Safety Program.
2021 Call for Communities
The Governor’s Highway Safety Program is working with the UNC Highway Safety Research Center to seek new communities to participate in the 2021 Watch for Me NC program. Communities will be chosen through a competitive application process. However, all NC communities are urged to use Watch for Me NC materials to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
Selected communities will receive free law enforcement training, technical assistance, and safety tools provided by the UNC Highway Safety Research Center and NCDOT. All selected community partners can attend virtual training sessions to help them plan outreach, share potential opportunities, and learn how to handle challenges.
Partners will also receive marketing materials with pedestrian and bicycle safety messages to hand out at public events. Some communities may also receive advertising such as vehicle wraps and radio PSAs.
How to Apply
Watch for Me NC is an invaluable tool ?for engaging communities across North Carolina by educating the public, providing hands-on training to law enforcement, and creating valuable partnerships in chosen counties and towns.
Eligible applicants include communities with police departments, such as local governments (municipal and county) and campus police. Applicants should demonstrate support from local law enforcement agencies and, if applicable, campus police, plus the capacity to participate fully in the program. If the police department is the lead applicant, they are encouraged to discuss their plans to apply with other local government departments, such as transportation, planning, parks and recreation, health, communications, and public relations.
Applications are due on February 1st, 2021, by 5 pm. Applications should be submitted to the Governor’s Highway Safety Program or online via the Watch for Me NC website. Communities that have participated in Watch for Me NC in the past will need to reapply to participate in this year’s program.
Pedestrian and Bike Accident Injury Attorneys of North Carolina
If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries while riding your bike or walking due to someone else’s negligence, call Henson Fuerst right away at 919-781-1107 or fill out a free consultation form online.
When you call Henson Fuerst, you will speak with one of our dedicated, experienced North Carolina personal injury attorneys FREE. We’ll investigate every detail of your accident at no cost to you and fight hard to secure the full compensation you deserve.
