ACPD to conduct ‘high-visibility’ enforcement tomorrow as part of safety campaign
A pair of traffic enforcement events will be happening in Arlington in coming days as part of a fall safety campaign.
The Arlington County Police Department has scheduled two "high-visibility traffic education and enforcement activations" in connection to the region-wide " Street Smart " campaign, including one tomorrow:
Roadway fatalities grew by 2.08% from 2022 to 2023 in the D.C. area, according to a campaign fact sheet, and early sunsets following the end of daylight saving time can lead to additional risks.
"The fall and winter months bring shorter days and fewer daylight hours, resulting in darker, more dangerous commutes for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists," the fact sheet says.
The Street Smart campaign aims to remind drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists about the rules of the road. Motorists are reminded to drive the speed limit, stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, yield to pedestrians and cyclists when turning and allow at least three feet of space when passing bicycles.
Pedestrians are advised to use marked crosswalks, wait for the walk signal and consider improving their visibility after dark with light-colored or reflective clothing.
Bicyclists, meanwhile, are reminded to obey traffic signs and signals, ride in the same direction of traffic and use headlights and taillights after dark.
"As evenings begin to get darker, earlier, more people are now commuting in darker conditions highlighting the need for travelers to exercise caution on our roadways," a press release says. "Whether you travel on foot, two wheels or four wheels, share our roadways safely by being a PAL — predictable, alert and lawful."
The overall campaign runs through Nov. 24.
The full ACPD press release is below.
The fall brings shorter days, the end to Daylight Savings Time and an increased risk of crashes due to reduced visibility. To ensure all travelers can reach their destinations in a safe and timely manner during this busy time of year, area law enforcement are participating in the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government's Fall Street Smart campaign . This region-wide campaign, which runs until November 24, 2024, focuses on educating drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists about traffic laws and how to safely share our roadways. The campaign aims to reduce the number of traffic-related crashes and injuries on our roadways by identifying and changing unsafe behavior patterns through a two-pronged approach of education and enforcement.
Transportation Safety Tips for Travelers
As evenings begin to get darker, earlier; more people are now commuting in darker conditions highlighting the need for travelers to exercise caution on our roadways. Whether you travel on foot, two wheels or four wheels, share our roadways safely by being a PAL – predictable, alert and lawful.
If you're driving . . .
If you're walking . . .
If you're biking . . .
Media Availability
Transportation Safety is a key initiative of the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) with officers continuing to conduct traffic enforcement throughout Arlington. ACPD invites members of the media to attend the following high-visibility traffic education and enforcement activations as part of the Street Smart campaign's educational efforts:
Thursday, November 14th
Tuesday, November 19th
