StreetSmart demonstration urges drivers, riders, and pedestrians to look out for each other

This morning the Department of Transportation took a step toward protecting the lives of our dedicated professionals with a pedestrian safety demonstration.

Two months ago, I blogged about a pair of crashes involving pedestrians near DOT headquarters. Soon after, the DC Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Police Department introduced "No turn on red" restrictions and added crossing safety officers at the area's busiest intersections.

USDOT employees watch DDOT StreetSmart demonstration

And today's StreetSmart demonstration, again in partnership with the terrific folks at DDOT and the MPD, brings us even closer to the kind of safety we need to achieve near DOT headquarters--and in communities across America.

As DDOT director Gabe Klein said this morning, the burden is on everyone--drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians--to be more careful out there.

But the fact remains that pedestrians are the most vulnerable users of our roadways, with bicyclists not far behind. And when you are driving, you are the sole pilot of a 4,000-pound projectile; you must slow down, pay attention, and proceed with caution.

That means, first and foremost, respecting the law. It means turning carefully, no speeding, and no distracted driving.

The yellow demo car approaches the child/dummy (circled) at 25 mph, braking in time

In a dramatic demonstration this morning, we saw firsthand the cost of ignoring the speed limit. A vehicle traveling at the 25 mile per hour local speed limit was able to brake in time to avoid a young boy--in our case, a safety dummy--crossing the intersection.

At 35 miles per hour, the same vehicle could not stop in time and struck the child with a thud that instantly silenced those of us watching the demonstration. It really took very little imagination to understand that in real life the dull thud of car against dummy would have taken a life and destroyed many others.

At an unsafe speed, 35 mph, the braking distance the car requires cannot spare this child's life

Today's demonstration was not just directed at drivers. As DDOT Pedestrian Safety Coordinator George Branyon reminded everyone, "The solid orange hand of the DON'T WALK sign is not a suggestion; it's the law in DC and all 50 states."

And, as MPD Assistant Chief Pat Burke pointed out, not using an intersection and choosing to cross mid-block is the leading cause of pedestrian fatalities in the DC area.

Crossing guards are out there for all pedestrians, not just for schoolchildren

Of course, abiding by the law is not enough; paying attention to the signs and signals is not enough. Because having the right-of-way is no guarantee of safety, pedestrians must be more defensive. And they definitely need to put away their electronic devices and pay careful attention when crossing a busy intersection.

Look, whether you're walking, riding, or driving--one small, individual lapse in attention can lead to a tragedy that inflicts its damage upon many.

So, please, everyone, let's pay closer attention to each other. As Assistant Chief Burke advised, "All we need to do is take the time to look out for others."

Comments

[Christopher Douwes]

DDOT should fix the timing for the 3rd & M crossing so that it provides the WALK signal to cross M Street at a time when there are fewer vehicles approaching on M Street. Right now, the signal turns to WALK just as waves of vehicles are approaching from both sides.

The push button on the northeast corner of 3rd & M has never functioned properly since its installation; it has never had a verbal response. At present, it isn't even pressable; it simply doesn't function right now.

This signal is particularly annoying because you MUST press the button to obtain the walk signal, but it seems that I always get to it 1-5 seconds too late to make the cycle, and I have to wait for an entire cycle to come around, even at times when there are NO vehicles approaching on M Street. Then it finally changes to WALK as vehicles are coming along M Street.

[Ian Cooper]

Why can't we simply institute a 'no turn on red' law everywhere. Allowing a turn on a red light has caused numerous accidents, some deadly. Isn't it time we gave up on this dangerous experiment?

No vehicle should be able to cross a crosswalk where pedestrians have a green walk signal. Allowing turning traffic of any kind during a pedestrian walk signal is inherently dangerous. Surely it's time to make intersections as safe as possible for everyone.

Apart from anything else, such a solution would also tend to get more people taking the Metro or biking to work. shouldn't we be trying to slow down the motorist commute so that we can get people onto more sustainable transit options?

[Alex]

Great article. I was about to comment on how car drivers admittedly DO have the biggest responsibility on the streets but that it seems to be the pedestrians who cross red lights more frequently. You did a great job covering that though and it is true: Everyone has to take responsibility on the streets (and that includes not to drink and drive)!

[Mark Wright]

Question: Does the StreetSmart initiative include any new types of signage to grab the attention of drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists in high-risk stretches of road?

[Steve Magas]

The complete lack of knowledge and understanding by a majority of the public about crosswalks and the rights of pedestrians is brought home daily. While cycling fatalities are down, pedestrian fatalities are significant and hit/run incidents are epidemic right now. I write about several every day just in the cycling world. PROPS to Mr. LaHood for being the first Transp Sec in recent memory who can even SPELL "B-I-K-E" let alone passionately extol the virtues of cycling while trying to do something to keep riders, and walkers, safer...