traffic safety | FFXnow

Published February 28, 2023 at 11:50AM | Updated March 24, 2023 at 2:36PM

Columbia Pike in Bailey's Crossroads has been partially closed after a fatal pedestrian crash (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The traffic safety advocacy group Fairfax Families for Safe Streets (Fairfax FSS) says the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is primarily to blame for Fairfax County’s high pedestrian fatality count last year.

The Safe Streets Report compiled by Fairfax FSS examines the crashes that resulted in 32 pedestrian fatalities and 53 serious injuries in 2022. Like the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) earlier report, Fairfax FFS found that the county saw a dramatic increase in fatalities and serious injuries last year from any other year going back to 2010 — the first year where data is available.

Countywide

JUST IN: Fairfax County will launch speed camera pilot at eight schools Friday

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 9, 2023 at 4:50PM

A red light camera in the City of Fairfax (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is adding speed cameras to monitor drivers around schools for the first time.

The photo speed-monitoring devices will be installed near eight schools across the county tomorrow (Friday) as part of a pilot program approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in December, the county announced today.

Countywide

County board challenges FCPS over delay of cameras on school bus stop-arms

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 9, 2023 at 10:15AM

A Fairfax County Public Schools bus parked at Vienna Elementary School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County officials have waited a decade now for public school buses to be outfitted with video cameras, and their patience is wearing thin.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion Tuesday (Feb. 7) asking Fairfax County Public Schools to explain why it has yet to implement a school bus stop-arm camera program that staff started exploring back in 2013.

News

Development proposal that could’ve closed key road between Reston and Wolf Trap withdrawn

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 1, 2023 at 1:30PM

The current layout of Crowell Road in Wolf Trap (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County is no longer considering a proposal to allow more housing in Wolf Trap’s Crowells Corner neighborhood.

The Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) submission has been withdrawn by its nominator, county planner David Stinson said at a virtual meeting last night (Tuesday) to discuss requested land use changes in east Reston and along Hunter Mill Road.

News

Rise in pedestrian fatalities a top concern for FCPD, officials say

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 1, 2023 at 10:15AM | Updated February 27, 2023 at 1:08PM

Police blocked off southbound Route 29 at Centrewood Drive last night after a fatal pedestrian crash (via VDOT Northern Virginia/Twitter)

The Fairfax County Police Department is doubling down on traffic enforcement and awareness efforts after a rise in pedestrian fatalities last year.

At a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors safety and security committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday), Police Chief Kevin Davis stressed that the department is focusing on education and enforcement, with pedestrian safety as a primary mission.

News

After deadly crash, county to study lighting, cost of removing hills on Lee Chapel Road

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 25, 2023 at 3:30PM

Fairfax County will evaluate the cost of removing hills on Lee Chapel Road after multiple fatal crashes (via Pat Herrity/Twitter)

With its lone survivor still hospitalized, this month’s crash that killed two teens on Lee Chapel Road has spurred Fairfax County to step up its efforts to address long-standing concerns about the safety of the key Fairfax Station th0roughfare.

During its meeting yesterday (Tuesday), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed transportation staff to develop a cost estimate for a project that would widen the two-lane road to four lanes and eliminate hills that limit driver visibility along a roughly 1-mile segment between Ox Road (Route 123) and Fairfax County Parkway.

News

Safety improvements planned for ‘disaster’ streetscape along Columbia Pike

By Vernon Miles

Published January 25, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated March 24, 2023 at 2:39PM

Columbia Pike between Backlick Road and Tom Davis Drive (image via Google Maps)

A stretch of roadside along Columbia Pike referred to as a “disaster” in a recent meeting — near where four people were struck by a driver last year — could be getting some safety-focused upgrades.

On Monday (Jan. 23), Fairfax County presented plans for a “Complete Streets” overhaul for a section of Columbia Pike from Backlick Run to Tom Davis Drive. The project involves the construction of a new 6-foot-wide sidewalk and a high-visibility crosswalk at Tom Davis Drive, along with ADA-compliant curb ramps and a 6-foot-wide strip of landscaping.

Countywide

DMV report confirms ‘startling increase’ in pedestrian fatalities for region, led by Fairfax County

By Vernon Miles

Published January 20, 2023 at 11:45AM | Updated March 24, 2023 at 2:39PM

Flowers and a balloon left on Blake Lane, site of a car crash on Tuesday that killed two Oakton High School students (photo by Amy Woolsey)

A new report from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) found a “startling increase” in the number of pedestrian fatalities in Northern Virginia last year.

Along with the increase in pedestrian fatalities, DMV found a smaller increase in overall traffic-related fatalities in the region.

News

Officials weigh options for safer Lee Chapel Road, as community calls for more action after fatal crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 19, 2023 at 9:30AM

Optical speed bars intended to slow down drivers have been installed on Lee Chapel Road in Fairfax Station (via Pat Herrity/Twitter)

Calls for safety improvements on Lee Chapel Road in Fairfax Station have resurfaced in the wake of last week’s car crash that killed two teens and put a third in the hospital.

As an online petition urging Fairfax County to prioritize regular maintenance and new safety features surpassed 12,000 signatures, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity — who represents the area — met with state and county transportation staff to discuss short, mid and long-term options for addressing long-standing safety concerns.

News

With eye on traffic concerns, county planning commission advances Route 1 affordable housing for seniors

By Matt Blitz

Published December 15, 2022 at 9:30AM

A rendering of the proposed Beacon Hill senior living facility in Groveton (via Fairfax County)

A project set to place affordable housing for seniors along Richmond Highway (Route 1) has cleared another hurdle.

At its final meeting of the year on Dec. 7, the Fairfax County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a plan amendment to allow a six-story, 70,000-square-foot affordable, independent senior living facility with a “community-serving” ground floor at 6858 Richmond Highway.