Alexandria’s Families for Safe Streets
Alexandria Families For Safe Streets (AFSS) brings the community together to create safe streets for all people to walk and bike, by telling the impact stories, increasing political support, and influencing change in policies and investments that eliminate traffic-related fatalities and injuries in our city.
Why does Alexandria Families for Safe Streets exist?
Alexandria streets are Unsafe
- Four pedestrian were struck and killed in 2016
- An average of 72 pedestrians were struck and injured annually (2008 to 2016), and nearly 90 pedestrians were injured in 2016.
- Death and injury on our streets are unacceptable and are preventable.
There are two factors that lead to tragic, but preventable injuries:
• SPEED: Speed is responsible the same number of pedestrian injuries as driving under the influence. Traffic speed is the strongest predictor of whether a person is seriously injured or killed when hit by a car.
• FAILURE TO YIELD: Motorists often do not yield to pedestrians, especially when vehicles are turning. A “failure to yield” to people in crosswalks accounts for a significant percentage of crashes into people walking.
AFSS’ key message is simple: Our city has committed to safe streets for all people in Alexandria by acknowledging that traffic deaths and serious injuries are unacceptable and preventable. We support our city and its leaders by acknowledging that all people have a right to streets that are safe and accessible for all. We seek to partner with the City of Alexandria and others to Implement Vision Zero Now, i.e. take effective near-term actions that will make a difference and prevent additional people from being killed and maimed.
What exactly does AFSS do?
• We advocate for the installation of infrastructure improvements that reduce excessive vehicle speed, save lives and improve everyday mobility for all residents and visitors of Alexandria;
• We endorse Vision Zero’s four “E’s” – Engineering, Education, Enforcement and Evaluation;
• We strongly encourage and seek to partner with the City of Alexandria for an expeditious implementation of a Vision Zero plan in Alexandria; and,
• We tell the real-life stories of crash survivors that illustrate why a Vision Zero policy is important to creating a safer, more accessible, and more inviting community for our residents and visitors.
AFSS Members & Friends:
On April 15, AFSS will be participating in Spring2ACTion, Alexandria’s Giving Day. This year's date was moved up because now, more than ever, the Alexandria nonprofit community needs your support. You can donate now at https://www.spring2action.org .
Spring2ACTion is a city-wide effort to raise needed funds for local nonprofits and to celebrate the generosity and vibrancy of our community. We realize that our world has been significantly altered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and that there are other nonprofit agencies in town that are tending to the more immediate needs of providing food and shelter. IF you have the capacity to help other nonprofits beyond the immediate needs of COVID-19, please consider supporting Alexandria Families for Safe Streets (AFSS).
Eventually our lives will get back to normal and the eerily desolate streets will once again be busy with vehicle traffic alongside pedestrians and bicyclists. The issue of pedestrian safety on Alexandria streets will unfortunately become a concern. On average, pedestrian vehicle crashes range between 70 to 90 per year since 2016, seriously injuries 10 to 14 per year and pedestrian fatalities have been 2 to 4 per year. Street safety is a health issue, albeit not as acute as the coronavirus, but it will still be a problem when “normal” times resume.
Spring2Action is AFSS’s only fundraising effort and the date for giving has been moved up this year April 15, 2020 with early donating starting on April 3rd. AFSS’s goal is to raise $2,500 for supplies to maintain our outreach programs at public venues and ACPS schools. Supplies include the 3-way flashing blinkers as well as courseware improvements with our “Safe Streets / VisionHero” presentations we conduct in ACPS K-12 classrooms. Attached is a Newsletter which briefly describes some of the accomplishments AFSS has achieved over the past 12 months.
Here’s how you can help us (while physical distancing):
· Donate Here beginning April 3. Please know a donation of any size will make a big difference!
· Spread the word by texting a friend, forwarding this email, and posting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #Spring2ACTion.
· Talk a walk outside but remember to keep physical distancing and cross at cross walks, looking both ways before crossing.
Let’s not get into bad habits of mid-block crossing or not bothering to look before entering a cross walk. Light vehicle traffic may lull us into complacency.
Thank you and stay safe.
Mike Doyle
Founding Member
Alexandria Families For Safe Streets (AFSS)
On April 15, AFSS will be participating in Spring2ACTion, Alexandria’s Giving Day. This year's date was moved up because now, more than ever, the Alexandria nonprofit community needs your support. You can donate now at https://www.spring2action.org .
Spring2ACTion is a city-wide effort to raise needed funds for local nonprofits and to celebrate the generosity and vibrancy of our community. We realize that our world has been significantly altered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and that there are other nonprofit agencies in town that are tending to the more immediate needs of providing food and shelter. IF you have the capacity to help other nonprofits beyond the immediate needs of COVID-19, please consider supporting Alexandria Families for Safe Streets (AFSS).
Eventually our lives will get back to normal and the eerily desolate streets will once again be busy with vehicle traffic alongside pedestrians and bicyclists. The issue of pedestrian safety on Alexandria streets will unfortunately become a concern. On average, pedestrian vehicle crashes range between 70 to 90 per year since 2016, seriously injuries 10 to 14 per year and pedestrian fatalities have been 2 to 4 per year. Street safety is a health issue, albeit not as acute as the coronavirus, but it will still be a problem when “normal” times resume.
Spring2Action is AFSS’s only fundraising effort and the date for giving has been moved up this year April 15, 2020 with early donating starting on April 3rd. AFSS’s goal is to raise $2,500 for supplies to maintain our outreach programs at public venues and ACPS schools. Supplies include the 3-way flashing blinkers as well as courseware improvements with our “Safe Streets / VisionHero” presentations we conduct in ACPS K-12 classrooms. Attached is a Newsletter which briefly describes some of the accomplishments AFSS has achieved over the past 12 months.
Here’s how you can help us (while physical distancing):
· Donate Here beginning April 3. Please know a donation of any size will make a big difference!
· Spread the word by texting a friend, forwarding this email, and posting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #Spring2ACTion.
· Talk a walk outside but remember to keep physical distancing and cross at cross walks, looking both ways before crossing.
Let’s not get into bad habits of mid-block crossing or not bothering to look before entering a cross walk. Light vehicle traffic may lull us into complacency.
Thank you and stay safe.
Mike Doyle
Founding Member
Alexandria Families For Safe Streets (AFSS)
Some useful tips to get around town at safe social distances.
Sidewalk etiquette in the time of COVID-19
If you need to be out and about during physical distancing, please mind your sidewalk manners.Over the weekend I needed supplies, so I ventured out into the big world in an imaginary 12-foot bubble …
flip.it
We've postponed National Walking Day public events on April 1, but we'd love for you to walk together with us virtually! Simply go for a walk that day, anytime, anywhere, and post a photo of where you're walking. Use the hashtag #VirtualWalkingDay & tag @WalkArlington. There are several reasons why we’re planning a Virtual Walking Day now instead of waiting until it’s permissible to gather in public. Mainly, we’re doing this because walking is good for us, and it’s something we can do to take care of ourselves during this challenging time.
Whether walking or biking let’s enjoy our multi-use trails responsibly. News across the country says with gyms closed lots of people are outside using trails. Everyone should follow the social distancing guidelines and bikers should slow down around pedestrians. Pedestrians should give room when possible. We are all in this together. 🚶🏾♀️ 🚲 🚶🏾♀️ 🚲 🚶🏾♀️ 🚲 🚶🏾♀️ 🚲
Using Trails and Outdoor Spaces Safely in the Wake of COVID-19
It’s vital that people find ways to engage in physical activity during this time; the benefits to our immune systems and our mental health are...
railstotrails.org
Dear AFSS Members & Friends:
On April 15, we will be participating in Spring2ACTion, Alexandria’s Giving Day. This year's date was moved up because now, more than ever, the Alexandria nonprofit community needs… https://t.co/u72skBolLV
AFSS is proud to partner with @WRAP_org the co-sponsor (with @Lyft) of the SoberRide program to encourage St. Patrick’s Day celebrants to drive & party safe or use WRAP’s SoberRide code for a free Lyft ride home (up to $15) on Mar 17th..... (1/2) https://t.co/IRXqJQ6ffs
Thanks for having us today. We appreciate the opportunity to share safe street strategies and #VisionZeroALX with @williamramsayes and all of @ACPSk12. Thanks to @ACPS_SRTS for all their efforts too. 🚶🏾♀️ 🚲 🚶 🚲 🚶🏾♀️ https://t.co/X5NhvaWgOs
William Ramsay Elementary
@williamramsayes
Thank you Mr. Doyle and Ms. Rose from @alxsafestreets for teaching students about pedestrian crossing today in PE classes. https://t.co/PmyAW1DyCT
Thank you Mr. Doyle and Ms. Rose from @alxsafestreets for teaching students about pedestrian crossing today in PE classes. https://t.co/PmyAW1DyCT
Virginia is banning cellphone use while driving. Make the change now and #PutThePhoneDown. #DistractedDriving #DistractedDriver #VisionZeroALX https://t.co/Cromm9nobr