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In 2017-2019 left turn crashes alone contributed to 20% of all critical crashes. Please slow down and remember to look for pedestrians every time you make a left turn! Learn more about Arlington’s Vision Zero Critical Crash Campaign here.
On September 15, the Arlington County Board approved speed limit reductions along two county corridors. The unanimous vote will reduce speeds from 30 to 25 mph on Fairfax Drive, from Arlington Boulevard to North Barton Street and from 35 to 25 mph on 5th Road South between South Carlin Springs Road and the Fairfax County line.
These speed limits changes stem from a countywide review of speeds on all roadways with a posted speed limit of 30mph or above, as recommended in the Vision Zero Action Plan. Additionally, the intersection of Fairfax Dr and N Barton St was identified as a disproportionately high crash location in the 2022 Hot Spot Analysis. Reducing speed limits is just one tool that County staff are using to help address vehicle speeds, which are a top priority for the Vision Zero program given 26% of critical crashes and 23% of fatal crashes involve speeding.
Tune in to the October County Board meeting, as additional corridors--including Columbia Pike, Washington Blvd, and S Joyce St--are also considered for speed limit reductions.
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Have you noticed you get a head start as a pedestrian at some county crosswalks? You’ve enjoyed the benefits of a Leading Pedestrian Interval!
Leading Pedestrian Intervals (also know as LPIs) give walkers and bikers a 3-7 second head start at signalized intersections. Studies show that this safety intervention can reduce pedestrian-vehicle collisions by up to 60% by increasing turning motorists visibility of pedestrians.
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Arlington County has recently implemented LPIs combined with No Right Turn on Red Signs along the following corridors:
- Columbia Pike, from the County line to Washington Blvd
- Fairfax Drive, from N. Glebe Road and N. Kirkwood Dr
- Clarendon Blvd, between N. Highland Street and Ft. Myer Drive / Wilson Blvd
- Wilson Blvd, between N. Glebe Rd and Ft. Myer Drive
Check out the new Multimodal Safety Engineering Toolbox for more information on the LPI (pg. 44) and other safety interventions!
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This summer the University of North Carolina’s (UNC) Walk Friendly Communities program upgraded Arlington’s walkability score from gold to platinum status. As a platinum level city, Arlington joins a selective list of only four other communities – New York City, NY, Portland, OR, San Francisco, CA, and Seattle, WA.
The Walk Friendly Communities program considers the following factors in the selection process:
- Plans for pedestrian safety
- Complete Streets program
- Safe Routes to Schools program
- Activity of community advocacy groups
- Attention to equity
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This exciting news comes after Arlington spent over a decade as a gold level walkable city. The Vision Zero Action Plan adopted last year has played a role in Arlington’s move into this prestigious group of cities.
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Last month, the Arlington County Police Department, Fire Department, Sheriff's Office, and the Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management hosted a Public Safety Block Party. This free event at Kenmore Middle School offered families the opportunity to engage with officers and local businesses to encourage safer habits for residents of all ages – a big win for the County’s Vision Zero goals!
Subscribe to Police News and Updates to learn more about upcoming events.
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Arlington Police reported 1,785 crashes in 2021, which was about 18% higher than 2020 (a record low year for crashes due reduced travel during the COVID-19 pandemic) but about 29% fewer crashes than 2015-2019 averages. About 7% of all crashes involved a bicyclist or pedestrian, which was consistent with prior year averages. Despite lower vehicle volumes and fewer crashes in 2021, there was minimal change in the number of critical crashes (65 severe or fatal crashes in 2021) compared to previous years. The report includes analysis of:
- Impacts of COVID-19 on Crashes
- Summaries of Long-Term Trends
- Vision Zero Performance Metric Tracking
- 2021 Circumstances & Characteristics
- 2021 Spatial Patterns
The Vision Zero team is using these and other findings from this Annual Report to guide safety projects and reduce crashes in Arlington. Learn more about crash trends from last year by accessing the 2021 Annual Crash Report on the Vision Zero Maps & Safety Data page.
- Curb extensions and transit accessibility improvements at Yorktown Blvd and N. George Mason Dr – Project Sheet.
- Curb extensions and transit accessibility improvements at Williamsburg Blvd and N. George Mason Dr - Project Sheet.
- Curb extensions and crossing improvements at 26th St N & N Harrison Street - Project Sheet.
Visit the Vision Zero Safety Projects page to learn more about safety-driven quick build projectss, capital projects, pilot projects, High-Injury Network safety audits, and more.
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