Safe Walking in the Commonwealth: an Analysis of the Issues and Proposed Clarifications of the Code of Virginia. Final Report PDF Download

Author: Charles B. Stoke
Publisher:
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 67

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Author: Charles B. Stoke
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Pedestrian accidents
Languages : en
Pages : 80

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Book Description
Public interest in measures to make walking a safer form of personal conveyance manifests itself every several years in Virginia's General Assembly. Since 1981, the Virginia Transportation Research Council has conducted at least six studies regarding pedestrian safety, and two dealt specifically with legal issues. None of them, however, led to changes to the Code of Virginia (the Code). This study of pedestrian legislation and traffic safety was undertaken at the request of the Commissioner of Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles in response to concerns expressed to him by state and local government officials. The authors reviewed the relevant literature, analyzed Virginia's pedestrian crash data, examined and critiqued Virginia's Code and those of other states with regard to pedestrian issues, reviewed the Uniform Vehicle Code, and surveyed the departments of education of all states to ascertain their efforts with regard to pedestrian safety education. The study showed that a significant number of pedestrians continue to be killed and injured in Virginia and that many of these cases can be related to specific vehicle and pedestrian actions as well as the age of the victim. Annually, 10 to 12 percent of motor vehicle crash fatalities are pedestrians, an average of about 105 per year. Theanalysis of the Code revealed that particular sections are either confusing or ambiguous concerning the actions required by or prohibited to motorists, pedestrians, or both. The survey revealed that Virginia was doing about as well as other states in educating its public schoolchildren concerning pedestrian safety. The authors recommend that Virginia revise its crash report form, modify and add to the pedestrian statutes in the Code, and institute public education and enforcement campaigns to address pedestrian safety issues. A separate document details the recommended additions and deletions to the Code in legislative format and is available upon request from the authors.

Author: Charles B. Stoke
Publisher:
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Category : Pedestrian accidents
Languages : en
Pages : 4

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Author:
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Category : State government publications
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Author: Nicholas J. Garber
Publisher:
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Category : Pedestrian accidents
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Although motor vehicle traffic volume continues to increase, recent studies have shown that in most cities about 90 percent of all internal trips within the central business district are walking trips. Additionally, those rural areas experiencing high growth rates are also comending with increases in pedestrian traffic. As pedestrian traffic grows, and the inevitable conflicts between pedestrians and motorists become more frequent, it is axiomatic that the level of risk, particularly for the pedestrians, increases as well. Between 1990 and 1994, pedestrian deaths accounted for 10.1 to 12.5 percent of all traffic fatalities in Virginia. This figure suggests that pedestrian safety improvement can be a promising candidate for the attention of state safety program officials, and that innovative countermeasures should be reviewed. This study was initiated to determine the traffic and geometric characteristics that significantly affect the safety of different classifications of pedestrians as a first step in the identification of potentially effective countermeasures for reducing pedestrian deaths and injuries resulting from crashes with motor vehicles. Data for this project were obtained from police accident reports involving pedestrian crashes over a 3-year period (1988 through 1990). The data were analyzed using inferential statistics to determine the significant characteristics of pedestrian/motor vehicle crashes. The results indicate that age of the pedestrian, location of the crash, type of facility, the use of alcohol, and type of traffic control at the site have significant impact on the risk of pedestrian involvement and the likely severity of injury in motor vehicle crashes. Also, younger pedestrians are more likely to be involved in crashes than older pedestrians, and within city limits, pedestrian involvement rates are significantly higher within roadway sections that lie between the stop line at an intersection and a distance 150 ft. from the stop line.

Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309142393
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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Scores of talented and dedicated people serve the forensic science community, performing vitally important work. However, they are often constrained by lack of adequate resources, sound policies, and national support. It is clear that change and advancements, both systematic and scientific, are needed in a number of forensic science disciplines to ensure the reliability of work, establish enforceable standards, and promote best practices with consistent application. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward provides a detailed plan for addressing these needs and suggests the creation of a new government entity, the National Institute of Forensic Science, to establish and enforce standards within the forensic science community. The benefits of improving and regulating the forensic science disciplines are clear: assisting law enforcement officials, enhancing homeland security, and reducing the risk of wrongful conviction and exoneration. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States gives a full account of what is needed to advance the forensic science disciplines, including upgrading of systems and organizational structures, better training, widespread adoption of uniform and enforceable best practices, and mandatory certification and accreditation programs. While this book provides an essential call-to-action for congress and policy makers, it also serves as a vital tool for law enforcement agencies, criminal prosecutors and attorneys, and forensic science educators.

Author:
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Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 682

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Author: Charles B. Stoke
Publisher:
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Category : Pedestrians
Languages : en
Pages : 48

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The purposes of this project were to review and evaluate Virginia's traffic laws related to pedestrians, compare provisions of the Code of Virginia with those of the statutes of other states and the Uniform Vehicle Code, and, if appropriate, propose amendments, additions, or deletions to the Code of Virginia which would enhance safe walking in the Commonwealth. The study was carried out with the advice and assistance of an advisory panel composed of representatives of federal, state, and local governmental agencies, various organizations concerned with the promotion of safe walking as recreation or mobility, the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances, and the Tidewater Automobile Association of Virginia. Several general problem areas, in both the context of fatalities and injuries and the Code itself, were identified. The research revealed that there are more injuries to pedestrians in urban areas but more fatalities in rural areas, and that most of those killed and injured are over the age of 15. In addition, it was found that the three most dangerous situations for the pedestrian are crossing at locations other than an intersection, crossing at non-signalized intersections, and walking in the roadway in the direction of traffic. Also, while crashes involving pedestrians with visual handicaps do not constitute a large percentage of the total, they do warrant special attention. Finally, provisions of the state code are not sufficiently protective of the pedestrian's rights nor definitive of the pedestrian's duties to provide for a safe walking environment. A number of suggestions, for revisions to the Code are made to clarify the actions required of pedestrians and motorists at intersections, and pedestrians walking along the highway, crossing roadways at points other than intersections, working in the roadway or upon the highway, playing in the roadway, and responding to emergency, bridge, or railroad signals.

Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
Publisher:
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Category : Agricultural laws and legislation
Languages : en
Pages : 2018

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Author:
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Category : Universities and colleges
Languages : en
Pages :

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