Fall Street Smart Campaign Begins this Week

On Tuesday, October 27, the region launched the annual fall Street Smart campaign to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist collisions. The campaign alerts everyone to be more cautious, especially with the shortened hours of daylight and the change this Sunday from daylight savings time – a time when pedestrian collisions increase. When daylight saving time ends on November 1, evening commuters -- drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists -- will be traveling in the dark.  This is the most dangerous time of year for pedestrians!

Law enforcement patrols will increase throughout the metropolitan Washington area and will be ticketing drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists who are not complying with traffic safety laws. Residents may also notice street teams of “walking billboards” to raise awareness and reduce traffic crashes. 

As daylight hours decrease, local safety officials remind motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists to be extra vigilant. The message is especially urgent with Halloween approaching this weekend, putting more pedestrians on area streets, including many children in costumes that reduce visibility.  In 2013, 72 percent of pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. occurred during hours of darkness.