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Street Smart Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Campaign

At a heavily-trafficked intersection in Rosslyn on November 9th, Arlington County Police were deployed in force with their citation books during the morning commute and lunch hour to ensure pedestrians, cyclists and drivers obeyed the rules of road.  The enforcement officially kicked off the fall 2010 Street Smart campaign to promote pedestrian and bicyclist safety and will include similar strategic enforcement engagements around the metropolitan Washington region.  This year’s initiative could not be better timed, given the rash of pedestrian traffic incidents the area has witnessed in recent months.  

Local elected officials and law enforcement from suburban Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia gathered to emphasize the importance of prioritizing safety improvements throughout the region.
In 2009, pedestrian and cyclist deaths accounted for more than one quarter (27 percent) of the region’s traffic-related fatalities.  A total of 79 area walkers and bikers lost their lives in traffic crashes, averaging one death every five days.  In Arlington County alone, there were five known pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in 2009, according to the Arlington County Police Department.  This uptick from the one reported fatality in 2008 was in direct contrast to the region’s overall eight percent decrease in fatalities over the past year. 
"Arlington County's Finest" staged two waves of enforcement in conjunction with the campaign’s kickoff, the first from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. targeting morning commuters, and the second from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.  The first wave yielded 33 citations to drivers and approximately 50 verbal warnings to pedestrians and cyclists - an average of one citation or warning every 90 seconds.  The most cited infraction was vehicles making improper turns.  Failing to yield to a pedestrian, however, comes with a fine of $30 along with a $61 court cost.

"We cannot stress enough that traffic laws are put in place for a reason," stated Arlington County Police Chief Douglas Scott.  "If crossing anywhere along a street were safe, then crosswalks would not exist.  Cyclists need to obey traffic signs and signals, because when they are in the roadway, they are considered another vehicle. Drivers also need to be aware of, and courteous to all forms of street traffic.  Everyone needs to do their part.  Saving a few extra minutes by cutting corners or running lights is not worth it.  Be Alert. Be Street Smart.  It could save your life."

About Street Smart

Sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), the Street Smart public awareness and enforcement campaign is in its eighth year. Aimed at reducing the number of pedestrian and cyclist injuries and deaths in the Washington metropolitan area, the campaign uses creative radio and television advertising in English and Spanish to reach drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, while targeting them through outdoor and transit advertising on bus shelters and bus sides. In addition, law enforcement and local, county and state agencies will be distributing handouts and tip cards to further spread awareness and educate drivers and pedestrians. For more information about Street Smart, please visit www.bestreetsmart.net and twitter.com/COGStreetSmart.

The Street Smart pedestrian safety effort focuses on the "three E's:" education, enforcement and evaluation.

• Education targets pedestrians and drivers, and uses recurring waves of radio, bus advertising, internet ads, hand-outs and posters to get the message out. Advertising conveys simple messages such as "Stop for Pedestrians" and "Cross Streets Carefully", and while media events help publicize enforcement.   A strong focus of the campaign is to reach the area's Hispanic residents through Spanish-language brochures and advertising outreach. 
• Enforcement provides an incentive for residents to heed the campaign messages, and a focus for media attention.
• Evaluation is vital to understanding the awareness level for the message and the future direction of the campaign.

The Street Smart campaign was created by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee of the Transportation Planning Board in 2002. The District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority provide major funding, with contributions from Arlington County, Montgomery County, and the City of Alexandria.    

Read more about our partner agency pedestrian and bicycle safety efforts.

Program Contact

Mike Farrell - (202) 962-3760