Pedestrian crashes continue to rise
The number of pedestrian and bike fatalities in Northern Virginia as of Dec. 4 is double the number for all of 2023, according to a report by Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets.
An analysis of VDOT’s Traffic Records Electronic Data System shows there were 11 pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities from crashes in Northern Virginia in 2023. Another 106 pedestrians and bicyclists suffered severe injuries, and 383 had visible injuries.
As of November 2024, 18 pedestrians and 1 cyclist were killed in crashes.
Among the supervisory districts in Fairfax County, Mason District had the most crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists between January 2021 and July 2024. Mason District logged 17 fatalities and 43 severe injuries during that period.
Related story: A crash on Edsall Road highlights the need for a pedestrian signal
So far this year in Mason District there was one fatality, nine severe injuries, and 25 visible injuries.
Little River Turnpike had the most casualties in Mason District, followed by Leesburg Pike, Columbia Pike, Arlington Boulevard, Maple Place, Braddock Road, Annandale Road, Gallows Road, S. George Mason Drive, and Beauregard Street.
Within Northern Virginia, the most dangerous corridors are Richmond Highway, Route 29, and Duke Street.
Most of the casualties recorded by VDOT were in Fairfax County, although Arlington had the highest number on a per-capita basis.
The report found 82 percent of fatalities in Northern Virginia happened at night. NoVA FSS also says residents of underserved communities who frequently walk or bike are more likely to be struck by cars due to unsafe road infrastructure.
“Each pedestrian fatality and serious injury is preventable,” NoVA FSS says. “Our local and state elected leaders, along with transportation and enforcement officials, need to demonstrate a greater level of commitment and urgency in implementing comprehensive and effective solutions. Making greater investments today will save lives tomorrow.”
15 responses to “Pedestrian crashes continue to rise”
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That’s because FCPD have forgotten how to write tickets for the huge number of reckless driver. Start ticketing, take the loud muffler less vehicles off the road by impounding those and use cameras to detect red light infractions.
Its that easy, it just takes political will, common sense and a commitment to the civilians by the FCPD. Right now it’s the wild Wild West w no law enforcement.
As a longtime Annandale resident, I’ve witnessed numerous accidents/ deaths at several of our intersections. Some can be attributed to careless and fast drivers but others simply because of poor lighting and safe crossing areas, e.g., intersections of Rose Lane & Colombia Pike, and Mason District Park & Colombia Pike. What might dramatically reduce these accidents are Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons RRFBs) as currently used in Arlington County. They light up the pedestrian crossing and flash lights for vehicles to stop. The crash reduction rate is estimated at 47%. I vividly remember witnessing a 65 yr old woman crossing Colombia Pike after getting off the bus at Rose Lane. Her options to cross the street in the dark were limited unless she would have exited in Annandale, an additional 5-6 blocks from her home. C’mon Fairfax County, let’s address this problem.
This is absolutely my thoughts on the matter. I see people blame lax policing, which might make some sense but doesn’t explain why Mason District in particular is the worst. Annandale has a lot of pedestrians relative to other areas in NoVA and pedestrian safety is appalling in Annandale, with crosswalks randomly placed without clear signage or lights on roads where people regularly drive 60mph. Every crosswalk needs RRFBs badly.
Because the percentage of non-whites here is highest, and they don’t care so much to follow these white supremacist laws.
Its true also that especially in the Culmore area, many pedestrians cross where they are not supposed to cross, preferring to weave run through traffic even when the crosswalk is a few steps away, and even when that crosswalk has a light. It can feel like driving in a country that is new to vehicular traffic. Of course there are no police to deter jaywalking. You sometimes have to veer around men standing in the middle of the street drinking out of liquor bottles. There’s no enforcement.
There used to be enforcement then we told the police that they were responsible for our deteriorating country. How has that worked out?
Cameras cameras and more cameras. Where’s Jimenez?
Design roads for all users. Cars ruin cities.
Jaywalkers ruin traffic flow. Cities without cars are called rural areas, Tom.
Newsflash: Annandale is not a city; it’s a suburb. If you want to live in a city (you think there are fewer cars there??), you are free to move.
There’s no more room for roads inside the beltway.
I see pedestrians and bicyclists at night wearing black with no lights. We should mandate lights on bikes for night driving (got one free @ the Arlington County Fair so we should be able to afford to give them out for free), reflective tape or paint so you can see them from a distance. It really helps when people wear light ir reflective clothing at night too.
Black hoodie black pants and an umbrella in a lite drizzle while texting … this is all too common lately. It’s not very cool – but I wear a reflective vest if walking anywhere at night. But I’m also a legal citizen and not on the look out for crimes of convenience – so I prefer to be visible.
Speed bumps placed around crosswalks, bus stops and retail areas, (especially around unusual crossings like off-ramps), are affordable and can enforce a safe driving speed if the driver isn’t aware or cautious enough.
Almost on cue, another crash happened last weekend at the crosswalk adjacent to Mason District Park.
They knocked the pedestrian sign all the way to the ground.
Well done, my friend.