Prince William police launch Street Smart campaign

The Prince William County Police Department will hold an enforcement campaign aimed at reducing the number of pedestrian and bicycle crashes with motor vehicles.

During the week of Nov. 14 through Nov. 21, the department will focus its attention on vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle violations that are known to contribute to these types of crashes. Officers will concentrate on driving behaviors such as speeding, running red lights, running stop signs and not using headlights at night or at any time when visibility is reduced.

Conditions that may reduce visibility include: rain, fog or any condition whereby people or vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet, 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.

Officers will look for equipment violations such as objects hanging from the rearview mirror and window tinting; these contribute to reduced visibility and the likelihood that a driver won't see people walking or riding bikes.

Pedestrians will be stopped if they cross a roadway at points other than an intersection as required by law. Intersections are designed to facilitate the safe crossing of pedestrians by the use of crosswalks and traffic lights allowing greater visibility. Crossing along roadways and not at intersections creates an unsafe condition for pedestrians and drivers.

Pedestrians should walk facing traffic so they can see oncoming vehicles and avoid them instead of walking in the same direction that traffic is moving. People walking at night are encouraged to wear reflective clothes or light colored clothes, and carry a flashlight.

Bicyclists will be stopped for any traffic offenses; the law provides that riders obey all of the traffic laws that apply to vehicles. Bicycle helmets must be worn by anyone younger than 14; however, the department encourages bicyclists of all ages to wear helmets.

Failing to wear a helmet increases the likelihood of serious injuries in crashes and is a violation that will be enforced.

Bicyclists riding after sunset are required to have a front white light visible in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet and a rear reflector visible from a distance of 600 feet to the rear. If the bicyclist is riding on a highway with a speed limit of 35 mph or greater, a rear taillight visible for 500 feet is required after sunset.

This enforcement will be countywide; with special emphasis on the corridors of U.S. 1, Dale Boulevard and Sudley Road. Statistics show that more pedestrian and bicycle crashes occur along these streets.

Street Smart is a pedestrian- and bicycle-safety and public awareness program started in 2002 and carried out by law enforcement agencies throughout the Washington area.

The goal of the program is to educate the public on pedestrian and bicycle safety issues and laws, change motorist and pedestrian behavior, increase awareness of law enforcement action against unsafe and illegal behavior, and reduce pedestrian and bicyclist deaths and injuries. This is done by increasing awareness of the consequences of pedestrian and bicycle crashes and recommending actions to reduce risks, such as using crosswalks, obeying signals, looking left-right-left, slowing down and stopping for pedestrians.

Sharon Richardson is a spokeswoman for the Prince William County Police Department.