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Council Strengthens Pedestrian, Bicyclist Safety Measures

The latest effort by Montgomery County Councilmembers to curb pedestrian and bicyclist crashes and deaths passed unanimously

The Safe Street Act prioritizes student safety within one mile of schools, provides longer access for walkers in a crosswalk, prohibits right on red turns in downtown and town center areas and requires a plan for increased automatic traffic enforcement.

It also requires an automatic infrastructure review following collisions near schools.

The act requires that an infrastructure review must be performed when a student is involved in a collision within a school zone. The review would include recommendations for traffic improvements.

The bill requires the county executive to provide a comprehensive automated traffic enforcement plan, which must be updated and resubmitted to the council annually.

So far this year, there have been 11 fatalities and 404 injuries involving pedestrians and cyclists. In 2022, 19 pedestrians and bicyclists were killed and 541 people seriously injured in the county.

There was a lengthy discussion on whether the bill should target just students or anyone of any age walking near schools. Councilmembers agreed to include people of all ages.

Councilmembers also called on the County Department of Transportation and County Public Schools to create a memorandum of understanding and make sure they work together on plans to reduce collisions involving students.

“Y’all need to work together. Our kids are counting on that,” said Council President Evan Glass, who spearheaded the legislation. “Too many of our neighbors continue to be seriously injured or killed while walking or biking on our roads.”

The bill requires the county executive to provide a comprehensive automated traffic enforcement plan, which must be updated and resubmitted to the council annually.

https://twitter.com/EvanMGlass/status/1704237604630114654?s=20

 

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