October is Pedestrian Safety Month, a reminder for everyone who drives, walks or bikes in Fairfax County to slow down, stay alert and look out for one another, especially as daylight hours grow shorter.
Four in five fatal pedestrian crashes in Fairfax County happen after dark, making visibility and awareness especially important during the fall and winter months. To help residents stay safe, we are sharing practical safety tips, distributing reflective materials and highlighting familiar local streets and intersections in new safety messages.
See and Be Seen
These efforts build on the county's longstanding Take a Moment pedestrian safety initiative, with a new message: See and Be Seen. Residents may recognize some of the Fairfax County streets and intersections featured in the new photography, bringing the safety reminders closer to home.
Pedestrian safety is also a year-round focus for our Police Department through traffic enforcement and safety education, and our Department of Transportation through roadway improvements and initiatives such as the county's Active Transportation Plan, which aims to make walking, biking and other ways of getting around safer and more accessible.
Take a Moment: Small Actions That Matter
A few seconds of attention can make a difference. Here are some ways to help keep yourself and others safe.
If you're driving:
- Slow down. Higher speeds leave less time and distance to avoid a collision.
- Look again before turning. Check crosswalks and sidewalks for people walking or biking, even when you have a green light.
- Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Never pass another vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
- Stay alert after dark. Watch carefully for people near intersections, bus stops and other areas where pedestrians may be crossing.
If you're walking:
- Use crosswalks when available. Follow pedestrian signals and check for approaching or turning vehicles.
- Make yourself visible. Bright or reflective clothing and a flashlight can help drivers see you in low-light conditions.
- Stay aware of traffic. Put distractions aside when crossing, and don't assume an approaching driver has seen you.
If you're biking:
- Use appropriate lights and reflectors, especially at dusk, dawn and after dark.
- Stay alert at intersections and watch for turning vehicles.
- Follow traffic laws and use extra caution when sharing roads and crossings with others.
Safety resources and materials
The county's updated Pedestrian, Bike and Traffic Safety webpage brings together information for people walking, biking and driving, along with resources about efforts to improve safety on county roads and ways to report safety concerns like streetlights outages.
Fairfax County agencies are also working to distribute reflective safety materials, including slap bands,
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