An early spring and the recent Daylight Savings Time change have many of us out enjoying the balmy temperatures and longer days. Along with this increase in outdoor activity comes an increase in use of our streets, sidewalks, and trails and this reminder from Arlington County Commuter Services that, whether on two feet, two wheels, or four wheels, everyone needs to share the way safely.
To reinforce this message around the region, the Spring 2012 Street Smart campaign kicks off this Wednesday, March 28. Law enforcement from suburban Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia will gather at the intersection of Silver Hill Road and Marlboro Pike in District Heights, Md. to raise awareness and educate the public about street safety.
Aimed at reducing the number of pedestrian injuries and deaths in the Washington metropolitan area, the Street Smart campaign is sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB). The campaign emphasizes education of motorists and pedestrians through mass media and is meant to complement the efforts of state and local governments and agencies to build safer streets and sidewalks, enforce laws, and train better drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The Spring 2012 Street Smart campaign includes a series of television public service announcements customized for Virginia, Maryland, and DC. Look closely and you’ll see that the Virginia PSA features one of Arlington County’s finest. Click here for a preview and watch for the Arlington County Police officer at the end of the segment.
To further emphasize the importance of street safety and sharing the road, Arlington’s Car-Free Diet, Bike Arlington and WalkArlington recently launched a joint campaign to remind everyone to be a PAL,
Predictable-Alert-Lawful , on our streets, sidewalks, and trails. The PAL campaign encourages pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike to follow safety and courtesy tips while you’re out.
To learn more about these PAL tips, visit the above-mentioned websites.
To meet a multi-modal PAL, check out this video, produced by the Arlington Virginia Network for Arlington County Commuter Services on behalf of Arlington’s Car-Free Diet.
All communities should have street safety awareness projects like that every now and then. Street safety is the concern of everybody -- pedestrians and motorists alike. Community groups are excellent avenues for reminding and encouraging motorists of the need to practice safe driving.
Posted by: Tyra Shortino | March 22, 2012 at 06:57 PM