By Supervisor Dan Storck
Whether you are a walker, runner, biker, driver or all of the above, each of us has the responsibility to ensure our streets are as safe as possible for all users. This past year that was not the case, as pedestrian and bicycle related fatalities and injuries continued to rise. To bring attention to this issue and the County’s ongoing commitment to the safety of all residents, I was pleased to join other County leaders, state and County agencies and school leaders on Tuesday to launch a multifaceted countywide campaign, “Take a Moment” to reduce traffic related deaths and injuries. There are no single solutions to this challenge, it takes all of us “Taking a Moment” to protect precious lives. You can watch the press conference and hear a moving story from a self-described, safe cyclist, County resident Steve Steiner who was hit a few years ago by a car making a right turn on red and how if the driver that hit him had “Taken a Moment,” he would have not had to be hospitalized and gone through an arduous recovery. https://www.facebook.com/SupervisorDanStorck
The County has committed $100 million to pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements over the next six years, but we need your help, too. As part of the campaign, please keep these simple tips in mind each time you take to the roadway:
- Take a Moment to look both ways.
- Take a Moment to make eye contact with drivers.
- Take a Moment to obey speed limits and traffic signals.
- Take a Moment to wear reflective clothing.
- Take a Moment to put your phone down.
- It only Takes a Moment to save a life.
As the County continues to look for ways to improve safety, we also launched a Streets Simplified Pilot Study last year to look at 37 intersections across the County, including several along the Richmond Highway Corridor. We anticipate the results and general conclusions from the study will be available soon.
Embark, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system “The One” and the Richmond Highway widening will bring additional pedestrian and bike safety improvements through bike lanes and sidewalks along both sides of the roadway, new underpasses, as well as enhanced crosswalks and signals.
Whether you are walking, biking, or driving, keep in mind that safety is a two-way street and is everyone’s job. For more information including tips for pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, safety messages for every season, and additional safety resources, please visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/pedestrian-bike-traffic-safety. Take a Moment to look out for each other!