“YOLO” is an important mantra among today’s teens. It’s a reminder to try something new, to take a risk—and according to MCPS, to cross the street carefully.

YOLO, short for “you only live once,” is the name of the new county-wide pedestrian safety campaign designed to discourage teens from crossing the street while texting, listening to music or not using a crosswalk. Schools participate by putting up posters or raising awareness through activities like band performances and student-designed merchandise giveaways.

Posters display students with tire treads over their face above slogans reading, “If you text, you’re next” and “Why didn’t the student make it across the road?” followed by “#YOLOwalksafe.”

“They hit on an important issue, but I also think they are a little much,” junior Zachary Salem-Mackall said.

The initiative comes in the wake of recent pedestrian accidents. Two years ago, Seneca Valley student Christina Morris-Ward was killed after a car struck her while she walked to school. A car hit Salem-Mackall last year as he biked to Whitman.

The county has over 400 crashes per year involving pedestrians, according to the YOLO campaign website.

While some students have questioned the county’s unusual use of “YOLO,” MCPS is showing the serious side of the phrase—you only live once, so don’t squander that life in a traffic accident.

“Any time you remind people of something, it can help for a short period of time,” said principal Alan Goodwin. “Since the students are used to the acronym, it can draw awareness.”