Roadway Safety

Regional growth has meant more people from more places driving, riding, and walking more miles in metropolitan Washington than ever before. Tourists and newcomers may also be unfamiliar with local traffic rules and dangers. Street design, motorist behavior, and pedestrian and bicyclist behavior must allow all to remain safe from harm.

TPB Safety Study

To better understand the factors behind the unacceptable numbers of fatalities and serious injuries occurring on the region’s roadways each year, the Transportation Planning Board (TPB) at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) commissioned a Regional Safety Study that kicked off in June 2019. The study was guided by a panel of TPB staff and safety officials from the District Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Transportation, and Virginia Department of Transportation.

Although a full report on the Regional Safety Study was not completed, many key findings were presented to the TPB and TPB Technical Committee. The findings presentations from 2020 are posted below. 

• TPB Safety Activities Fact Sheet
• TPB Safety Study Phase I Analysis Presentation (April 2020)
• TPB Safety Study Deeper Dive Analysis Presentation (May 2020)
• TPB Safety Recommendations Presentation (June 2020)
• TPB Technical Committee Equity Emphasis Area Safety Analysis Presentation (May 2021)

The TPB updated the Regional Roadway Safety Study in 2025 and published the final report in February 2026.

• Regional Roadway Safety Study Update Report (February 2026)

TPB Safety Policy

The TPB adopted a regional roadway safety policy in July 2020, endorsing a set of shared actions to reduce injuries and fatalities on area roadways and committing to safety strategies that advance equity.

• R3-2021 - Resolution to Establish a Regional Roadway Safety Policy

TPB Roadway Safety Program

The Regional Roadway Safety Program provides short-term consultant services to member jurisdictions or agencies to assist with planning or preliminary engineering projects that address roadway safety issues.