traffic safety | FFXnow

NEW: A pedestrian crossing on Route 123 from Tysons Corner Center is in the works

Published December 13, 2022 at 1:30PM

The intersection of Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) and Tysons Blvd outside Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Talks are underway to design a street-level crossing across Route 123 at Tysons Blvd, a daunting challenge that would — at least in theory — improve access to Tysons Corner Center for pedestrians, bicyclists and others.

Fairfax County, the Virginia Department of Transportation and Macerich, the mall owner and developer, are currently hashing out an agreement for the crossing as an alternative to the existing pedestrian bridge that links the mall’s plaza to the Tysons Metro station on the other side of Route 123, also known as Chain Bridge Road.

Countywide

Speed cameras are coming to Fairfax County school and work zones next year

By Matt Blitz

Published December 7, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:58PM

A sign urging drivers to "take a moment" has been placed at the Oakton High School road exit (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) Fairfax County will introduce speed cameras to school and construction zones early next year.

At a meeting last night (Tuesday), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved amending the county code to establish a pilot program that will install 10 automated photo speed cameras in school and construction zones around the county.

Countywide

With 23 pedestrians dead, advocates call for action to make Fairfax County roads safer

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 22, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated December 5, 2022 at 10:41AM

Each candle represents a pedestrian killed in a crash in Fairfax County this year (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 10:40 a.m. on 12/5/2022) Even with one month left, 2022 is the deadliest year for Fairfax County pedestrians in more than a decade.

Through October, vehicle crashes have killed 22 people on streets and highways in the county — the most since at least 2010, the earliest year in Virginia’s Traffic Records Electronic Data System (TREDS). The previous high came in 2018 and 2019, when there were 17 fatalities each.

News

Town of Herndon studies safety improvements for Spring Street area

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 24, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:58PM

A driver lost control of their vehicle earlier this year on Spring Street (Photo via Stephanie Fryer).

Town of Herndon officials are studying improvements to the Spring Street area in response to residents’ concerns about walkability and safety.

After completing a speed study in September, Town Manager Bill Ashton II said the town has installed a speed sign between Wood Street and Bicksler Lane. The town plans to conduct a follow-up, three-day study in the first week of November to determine the impact of the sign.

Countywide

Fairfax County could introduce speed enforcement cameras with pilot next year

By Melanie Pincus

Published October 6, 2022 at 10:00AM

A sign warns drivers on Blake Lane to slow down (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Fairfax County Police Department could begin using cameras to catch speeders in nine school crossing zones and one highway work zone as soon as early 2023.

The proposed photo speed enforcement pilot program was presented to the Board of Supervisors at a public safety committee meeting Tuesday (Oct. 4).

Countywide

Countywide campaign aims to tackle traffic-related deaths, injuries

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 28, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:58PM

The announcement took place at a busy intersection in Reston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Steve Steiner, a 73-year-old cyclist who lives in Reston’s Hunters Woods neighborhood, nearly lost his life when he was cycling from Leesburg nearly four years ago.

Steiner was hit by an SUV that was turning right through a red signal onto Fairfax County Parkway at the exit for the Dulles Toll Road. Despite trying to veer to the right, he was struck by the car, suffering a concussion, several broken ribs and other serious internal injuries, he said.

News

Study recommends more crosswalks, wider sidewalks in Huntington Metro corridor

By Matt Blitz

Published September 13, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:59PM

Huntington Metrorail Active Transportation Study recommending where to implement "Safe Streets" (image via Fairfax County)

A new county-supported study is recommending pedestrian and bike-friendly improvements in the Huntington Metro corridor, including more crosswalks, wider sidewalks, additional lighting, and increasing shared-use paths.

At a virtual meeting tomorrow (Sept. 14) night, a Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) study – “Huntington Metrorail Active Transportation Study” – will be presented to the public that looked into the pedestrian and biking conditions within the Huntington Transit Station Area (TSA).

Countywide

UPDATED: Residents raise concerns about traffic safety on Spring Street

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 12, 2022 at 3:30PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:59PM

A driver lost control of their vehicle earlier this year on Spring Street (Photo via Stephanie Fryer).

(Updated on Sept. 13 and Sept. 14 to clarify an accident account and add attribution) Increased redevelopment in the Town of Herndon’s transit-oriented core may come with a price: increased concerns about road safety in quiet neighborhoods designed for low speeds, town officials say.

Late last month, a Jeep flipped over on Spring Street, hitting a tree right in front of a home. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, police said.

News

Fairfax County Police crack down on reckless driving in school zone

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 8, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:48PM

An inexperienced driver was cited for driving 90 mph in a school zone (Photo via FCPD).

Local police are urging parents to remind their teenagers about the dangers of speeding after a reckless driving incident on Tuesday.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, on Tuesday an inexperienced driver was caught going 90 mph in a school zone where the speed limit was 25 mph, resulting in a reckless driving charge.

News

FCPS routes school buses away from Blake Lane in wake of fatal crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 19, 2022 at 3:10PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:59PM

Fairfax County school bus (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Fairfax County Public Schools has made several bus stop changes in the Oakton area after conducting a safety review of the Blake Lane corridor.

Announced today (Friday), the school system has moved 22 stops away from Blake Lane in response to safety concerns after a driver hit three Oakton High School students at the Five Oaks Road intersection on June 7 — one of the last days of the 2021-2022 school year.