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Here’s to three years of pedestrian safety advocacy! We are excited to share our accomplishments with you in our Summer 2020 newsletter: Walkability audits of uncontrolled crosswalks Extension of our “Near Miss” survey to Arlington Successfully advocating for new traffic legislation, including a handheld phone ban Letter to the editor regarding racial justice and traffic enforcement New Families for Safe Streets chapters in Arlington and Fairfax Read the full account of our advocacy endeavors in the document attached above. As always, thank you for your support.…

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“… We urge Alexandria to prioritize speed management as the key tenet to Vision Zero and a safe systems approach because it is more effective at deterring dangerous driving than enforcement and less likely to be a tool for racial injustice. Silence could be interpreted as acquiescing to vehicle violence and racial inequities. We are speaking out and advocating for action.” Take a look at our full statement on racial justice as it applies to traffic enforcement in the Alexandria Gazette Packet and the Alexandria Times.…

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Did you know that distracted driving accounts for more than 30% of vehicle crashes? On July 8, Virginia strengthened its driver safety laws by banning hand-held cellphone use while driving. We are now a handsfree state!  AFSS was honored to attend the virtual bill signing today held by Governor Northam, and to have helped advocate for the new law, which takes effect January 1, 2021.  Congratulations to the bills sponsors, Janet Brookings of Drive Smart Virginia, and Senators Scott Surovell and Jeff Bourne, for making our streets safer with a very important piece of legislation!  …

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Virginia law now requires drivers to stop for pedestrians instead of just yielding. Drivers, you must come to a full stop for pedestrians in any marked and unmarked crosswalks, and remain stopped until the pedestrian passes your lane. When a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk, the driver of any other approaching vehicle may not pass the stopped vehicle  For more information, click here…