Press Releases
September is Bicyclist & Pedestrian Awareness Month
For Immediate Release
September is Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Month
Contact: Rich Jacobs, (804) 929-2988, rich.jacobs@drivesmartva.org
RICHMOND, VA –September is Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Month in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, in partnership with traffic safety nonprofit DRIVE SMART Virginia, reminds everyone that safety on the road depends upon mutual respect. Bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians have reciprocal responsibilities to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
Last year in Virginia, 124 pedestrians and 13 bicyclists died due to traffic crashes.
“Pedestrian fatalities in Virginia have increased 63% since 2010” said DRIVE SMART Virginia Executive Director Janet Brooking. “Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Month is an opportunity for everyone in Virginia to commit to be a safer road user.”
DRIVE SMART Virginia and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles asks everyone to remember:
• Motorists must observe Virginia’s 3-foot law when passing a bicyclist. Drivers must leave 3 feet of space between their vehicle and the bicycle.
• Bicyclists should observe traffic laws, use hand signals and appropriate bicycle lights.
• Pedestrians should wear reflective clothing and keep to sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. Where there is no sidewalk, pedestrians should walk or run on the side of the road facing traffic.
• Everyone who uses Virginia’s roadways should drive, walk, or ride distraction-free.
#ShareTheRoad is more than a hashtag. It’s a reminder that we all have reciprocal rights and responsibilities on the road and should afford one another mutual respect.
DRIVE SMART Virginia’s “See and Be Seen” campaign is an educational outreach aimed at reducing bicyclist and pedestrian deaths.
Everyone can help promote a safer traffic environment. DRIVE SMART Virginia makes it easy to share the #ShareTheRoad message. An online toolkit is available. Go to www.drivesmartva.org/toolkits to download Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Month education materials.
The DRIVE SMART Virginia staff is always ready to assist journalists who are preparing traffic safety-related stories.
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About DRIVE SMART Virginia
DRIVE SMART Virginia is a nonprofit organization charged with raising awareness and changing driver behavior in order to improve the safety of the roadways of the Commonwealth. We have endeavored to improve the lives of all Virginians through our public information and education initiatives. Founded in 1995, the organization is led by a diverse board representing safety advocates, the insurance industry and law enforcement. Our mission is advanced by fostering community partnerships, creating educational campaigns, designing and distributing educational materials, making presentations, attending outreach events, and advocating for traffic safety initiatives. Learn more about DRIVE SMART Virginia by visiting www.drivesmartva.org.
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