Fwd: News release: Trail Safety Efforts Stepped Up

[Stephen Bates]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Black, Tom" <Tom....@fairfaxcounty.gov>

Date: May 9, 2008 10:02:53 AM EDT

Subject: FW: News release: Trail Safety Efforts Stepped Up

From Officer Tom Black

 

Fairfax County Police Department

Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030

703-246-2253.  TTY 703-204-2264.  Fax 703-246-4253

FCPD...@fairfaxcounty.gov

www.fairfaxcounty.gov

News Release: 08/129/LHC(5)

May 8, 2008

 

 

Trail Safety Efforts Stepped Up

 

Officers from the Reston District will be conducting an enhanced pedestrian education and enforcement campaign beginning Saturday, May 10 in order to prevent injuries and deaths due to pedestrian and cyclist crashes. While the enforcement and education effort will take place across the Reston area, pedestrians and cyclists on the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail will be specifically targeted.

Since January 2005, there have been 55 bicycle and pedestrian vehicle crashes in the Reston District, with the highest number occurring at the intersection of Sunset Hills Road and Wiehle Avenue. There have been eight crashes there, which is the highest for any single location in the county. In 2007, there were 14 pedestrians and two bicyclists killed in collisions with vehicles. This enforcement and education effort will run through May 23.

Efforts will include increased patrols on the station’s Kubota all terrain vehicle, as well as members of the bike enforcement team. They will be distributing literature that explains the laws governing the interaction between vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. Large, electronic signboards will be posted along the roadways reminding motorists to share the road safely with bicyclists and pedestrians.

Pedestrian safety is a high priority of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.  For information about the Fairfax County Pedestrian Program, go tohttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/pedestrian.htm. When using trails, Fairfax Police urge the public to use caution.

Pedestrians should:

·        Cross the street at marked crosswalks and intersections.

·        Before crossing, look left, right then left again.

·        Use pedestrian pushbuttons.

·        Begin crossing the street on “Walk” signal.

·        Stay visible after dark and in bad weather.

 

Bicyclists should:

·        Obey all regulatory signs and traffic lights.

·        Never ride against traffic.

·        Use hand signals to tell motorists what you intend to do.

·        Ride in a straight line to the right of traffic and about a car door width away from parked cars.

·        Always wear a helmet.

·        Use lights at night and when visibility is poor.

 

Drivers should:

·        Stop for pedestrians.

·        Slow down and obey the posted speed limit.

·        Look before opening your door.

·        Be careful when passing stopped vehicles.

·        Allow 3 feet when passing bicyclists.

 

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