Street Smart Safety campaign runs through May 11 in Prince William County

The Prince William County Police Department invites residents to help observe pedestrian and bicyclist safety during the “Street Smart” education and enforcement campaign, observed through May 11, 2014.

This campaign is aimed at reducing the number of pedestrian and bicycle crashes with motor vehicles. During the campaign, police officers will focus attention on vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle violations that are known to contribute to these types of crashes:

• speeding,
• running red lights,
• running stop signs, and driving without headlights at night, or at any time when visibility is reduced.

Conditions that may reduce visibility include rain, fog or any other situation where drivers can’t clearly see people or vehicles that are 500 feet away, or whenever windshield wipers are in use. There will also be an emphasis on drivers who fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians. The campaign’s goals are to:

• change motorist and pedestrian behavior, and reduce injuries and crashes.

• increase awareness of the consequences of pedestrian and bicycle crashes.

• recommend actions to reduce risks, such as using crosswalks, obeying traffic signals, looking left- right-left before turning, changing lanes, slowing down and stopping for pedestrians.

By working together, people can help reduce traffic crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists, thus making our County a safer one in which to live, work and play. For more information, call the police department’s Traffic Unit at 703-792-7254, or visit the Police Department’s Pedestrian Safety web page:
http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/police/Pages/Pedestrian-Safety.aspx .