Northam proclaims April as Highway Safety Month

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam this week proclaimed April as Highway Safety Month in the state, calling attention to the growing number if pedestrian fatalities statewide – which reached a 10-year high in 2018. Pedestrian deaths in Henrico have spiked recently, as well.

In 2018, 123 pedestrians were killed in crashes in Virginia, a nearly 62-percent increase over the number of deaths (76) reported 10 years ago in 2008.

“I am encouraged that, overall, crash deaths are down in the commonwealth, but we still have a lot of work to do, particularly when it comes to reducing pedestrian fatalities,” said Northam. “Whether crossing the street or behind the wheel, each of us has a responsibility to engage in behavior that will make our roads safer for everyone. Highway Safety Month is a tremendous opportunity to bring a renewed focus to our efforts to save lives and move closer to our goal of achieving zero deaths on Virginia’s roadways.”

Speaking at an event at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Vehicle Research Center in Ruckersville, Northam called upon members of his Executive Leadership Team on Highway Safety to help elevate the importance of pedestrian safety. Composed of representatives from the Virginia Departments of Motor Vehicles, Transportation, Health, Education and State Police, and led by the secretaries of Transportation and Public Safety and Homeland Security, the team is charged with reducing fatalities on Virginia’s roadways and driving change in the commonwealth’s highway safety culture.

“We all have a role to play in protecting pedestrians on our roadways because, at some point in our day, we all are pedestrians,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran. “As drivers, we can help by following posted speed limits, staying alert, and scanning the roadway for walkers and bicyclists. As pedestrians, we can make a concerted effort to use crosswalks when available and focus on our walk rather than our phone. It’s also good advice to lock eyes with a driver before you cross the street. Just because you see someone, doesn’t mean they see you.”

The average number of pedestrian fatalities over the past 10 years was 93 deaths per year, although half of the years in this time frame reported fatality numbers in the 70s. The decade-low number of pedestrian fatalities was 73 in 2009; the previous decade high was 121 in 2016. In 2017, 114 pedestrians were killed.

“Pedestrian fatalities dramatically increased in 2016 and, tragically, have remained at a higher-than-average rate each year since,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “But, as the families and friends who have lost loved ones know far too well, one death is too many.”

Last week, Northam announced an amendment to Senate Bill 1768, which in its current form would prohibit drivers from holding a communications device in highway work zones. His proposed amendments would expand this hands-free legislation to be a statewide law.