Vehicle accidents involving pedestrians can be especially harmful given the lack of protection that pedestrians have against cars. This may be especially true in the Fairfax area because fatal pedestrian injuries were substantially higher in that region compared to all other Virginia regions in 2022.
Alarming data
Fifty-seven pedestrians were killed on the region’s roads and highways, according to Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles Traffic Records Electronic Data system. This was the highest loss of life from these accidents recorded since 2010. Fairfax County had 24 fatal pedestrian accidents: a five-year high.
According to TREDS’ preliminary data for the first two months of 2023, there have been 35 accidents involving pedestrians. These involved 41 injuries and one death across the Fairfax area.
Possible solutions
The Fairfax County Police Department recently announced its 2023 Traffic Enforcement Plan. This plan includes a 12-month traffic safety initiative involving target enforcement campaigns with school zone, distracted driving, and DWI enforcement.
In December, the Fairfax Board of Supervisors started an initiative allowing Northern Virginia communities to post appropriate and clear signs requiring drivers to stop for crosswalks at intersections without traffic signals. Counties that do not maintain their roads are permitted to lower speed limits to 15 to 25 mph on highways in their boundaries or business or residential districts.
The board also asked the Fairfax Police to conduct a speed camera pilot program in early 2023 in school and work zones. When the pilot program concludes, 80 additional enforcement cameras will be installed in fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
Police have written 4,371 tickets as of Jan. 23. In the same period last year, 636 tickets were issued.
The risk of pedestrian accidents and serious injuries continues. Attorneys can assist victims or families seek compensation from negligent or reckless drivers.