As daylight hours get shorter and evening commutes become darker, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is reminding pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers to take extra precautions to stay safe and visible.
Through a series of community pop-up events at high-traffic pedestrian and bicycle locations, including areas along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail and Richmond Highway, FCDOT's Active Transportation team is connecting with communities distributing safety lights and sharing pedestrian and bicycle safety tips.
Fairfax Connector joined the safety outreach efforts, visiting transit centers sharing safety lights and the lifesaving "Be Safe. Be Seen." message with bus riders. Outreach focused on helping passengers stay visible while waiting at bus stops and walking to and from transit centers, particularly during early morning and evening hours.
3 Safety Tips
- Slow Down & Stay Alert: Allow extra time for travel, put away phones and watch for others sharing the road, especially near intersections and crosswalks.
- See & Be Seen: Whether walking, biking or driving, taking a moment to be aware of your surroundings can save lives.
- Cross Safely & Be Visible: Use designated crosswalks whenever possible, look both ways before entering the roadway and take extra care to be visible in low-light conditions.
"Being visible can make a critical difference when walking or biking, particularly as the days get shorter," said Andrew Sheldon, Active Transportation Planner with FCDOT. "These outreach events give us an opportunity to meet people where they walk, bike and use transit, provide helpful safety resources and reinforce that everyone, including drivers, has a role in keeping our roads and trails safe."
These outreach efforts support Fairfax County's Pedestrian Safety: Take a Moment campaign, which emphasizes that safety is a two-way street and everyone shares responsibility for keeping each other safe.
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