Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Police news release on bicycle and pedestrian safety
Fairfax Police sent out the following news release yesterday on bicycle and pedestrian safety. As we reported in our latest newsletter, we recently met with police to discuss this issue. We're a bit disappointed in the release, copied below.
It states that "An 18-month study of reportable bicycle crashes shows that at least a quarter of the bicyclists were not wearing reflective clothing at the time of the crash; five bicyclists were reported to have been drinking alcohol and about 44% were performing an improper action such as: operating on the wrong side of the road, failing to maintain proper control or disregarding a stop or yield sign."
Wearing reflective clothing, always a good idea, is not required by law. The discussion focuses soley on actions of the bicyclists. What about motorists? In more than half of all bike/motorist crashes (57%), motorists were at fault. Shouldn't there be some mention of motorist's actions that cause crashes such as speeding, distracted driving, failing to maintain proper control, disregarding a stop or yield sign, drinking? We'll relay our concerns to our police contacts.
Here's a copy of the news release:
The Traffic Division of the Operations Support Bureau and the Patrol Division of the Fairfax County Police Department urge motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians to be vigilant this July.
The number of cyclists involved in crashes increased from 85 in 2011 to 106 in 2012. So far in 2013, there have been 45. An 18-month study of reportable bicycle crashes shows that at least a quarter of the bicyclists were not wearing reflective clothing at the time of the crash; five bicyclists were reported to have been drinking alcohol and about 44% were performing an improper action such as: operating on the wrong side of the road, failing to maintain proper control or disregarding a stop or yield sign. Police are working with private cycling groups around the region to increase public education efforts on bicycle safety issues.
The police department reports an increase in pedestrians involved in crashes as well. There were 201 in 2012; up from 185 in 2011. So far this year, there have been 98. Police urge pedestrians to learn more about safety issues at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/pedestrian/pedsafety.htm.
To learn more about bicycle safety laws, check http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/programs/bk-laws.asp.
Here's a copy of the news release:
Police Stress Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety this Month
The number of cyclists involved in crashes increased from 85 in 2011 to 106 in 2012. So far in 2013, there have been 45. An 18-month study of reportable bicycle crashes shows that at least a quarter of the bicyclists were not wearing reflective clothing at the time of the crash; five bicyclists were reported to have been drinking alcohol and about 44% were performing an improper action such as: operating on the wrong side of the road, failing to maintain proper control or disregarding a stop or yield sign. Police are working with private cycling groups around the region to increase public education efforts on bicycle safety issues.
The police department reports an increase in pedestrians involved in crashes as well. There were 201 in 2012; up from 185 in 2011. So far this year, there have been 98. Police urge pedestrians to learn more about safety issues at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/pedestrian/pedsafety.htm.
To learn more about bicycle safety laws, check http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/programs/bk-laws.asp.
Labels: bike crash, fairfax county police
Comments:
This is so infuriating. No mention of motorists' responsibility to follow the law and watch out for more vulnerable individuals - cyclists or pedestrians.
Not to be snarky, but I wonder how many of the pedestrians and drivers "were reported to have been drinking alcohol." Reflective clothing is a very good idea, yes, but so is driving with your lights on a good deal of the time. How many pedestrians weren't wearing reflective clothing or how many drivers didn't have their lights on when a safe driver would have?
Regarding two recent incidents, does anyone know how the cyclist mowed down by the drunk driver on the W&OD is doing? Or the cyclist who was most recently hit at Sunrise Valley?
Regarding two recent incidents, does anyone know how the cyclist mowed down by the drunk driver on the W&OD is doing? Or the cyclist who was most recently hit at Sunrise Valley?
Post a Comment