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.