Safer Streets
We Need Safer Streets
Bottom Line Up Front
The streets throughout Washington, DC continue to be unsafe for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians -- people. Unfortunately, it is challenging to get safety issues addressed in a comprehensive manner. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has never done a Livability Study for our area, and it is unlikely they will anytime soon -- the last one they did in DC was in 2021. Therefore, it is up to us to push for safer streets wherever we can!
Take Action to Make our Neighborhood Streets Safer: Submit a 311 Traffic Safety Input.
Want to do more?
South Dakota Avenue can be made safer with YOUR help!
Taylor Street can be made safer with YOUR help!
Where The Issues Are
We know where the unsafe streets are in our neighborhood -- we live here! Telling DDOT about safety issues you see and experience via the 311 Traffic Safety Input process is the single-most important step you can take to make our neighborhood streets safer!
Every 311 TSI Request is tracked by DDOT. Each quarter, DDOT selects 200 locations to investigate based on their TSI 2.0 criteria.
Neighborhood SAfety Gaps
This map shows issues (and some successes!) in our neighborhood.
Too many intersections are only 2-way stops and have uncontrolled crosswalks. This incentivizes speeding and cut-through traffic.
Many intersections have unmarked crosswalks. This makes a collision more likely. Unmarked crosswalks are legal places for people to cross.
There are a number of sidewalk gaps and repairs needed. This causes people to walk in the street or to avoid the area.
Many bus stops lack adjacent sidewalks and have unmarked crosswalks. This makes a collision more likely. DDOT's Design and Engineering Manual (2023) page 44-5: "Crosswalks are to be marked at the nearest intersection of all bus stops."
Street Safety Successes
June 2024: Installation of Speed Humps on 3800 Block of 20th Street NE, 3900 Block of 20th Street NE, 1900 Block of Quincy Street NE, and 2000 Block of Quincy Street NE (News Post on Coming Installation from April).
February 28, 2024: New sidewalks installed adjacent to Bunker Hill Park
December 12, 2023: Installation of Speed Hump on 2000 Randolph Street NE
July-August 2023: Installation of New LED Streetlights throughout 5B01
March 1, 2023: Installation of new Automated Traffic Enforcement on 1600 Block Michigan Avenue NE
October 22, 2022: Installation of Speed Tables on 4100, 4200, and 4300 Blocks of 18th Street NE
February 18, 2022: Installation of Speed Humps on 1800 Block Varnum Street NE
Advocacy
April 13-14, 2024: Reached out to neighbors, especially those on 3800 Block of 20th, 1900/2000 Blocks of Quincy Street NE regarding New Traffic Calming Proposed by DDOT
February 4 & Feb. 6-20, 2024: Sent newsletter and distributed fliers to every household in 5B01 regarding sidewalks and sidewalk repairs
January 7, 2024: Sent newsletter including information on how to make Taylor Street safer thru a Protected Bike Lane.
October 15, 2023: Met with neighbors to discuss proposed speed hump at the 2000 Block of Randolph Street NE
May 27, 2023: Conducted a follow up Walkthrough of Eastern Avenue, to check on issues
May 11, 2023: Participated in a Safety Walkthrough of South Dakota Avenue with Councilmember Parker and DDOT Director Lott
March 17, 2023: Participated in a Walkthrough of Eastern Avenue with Councilmember Parker, highlighting street safety issues
March 15, 2023: Voted for the ANC 5B Resolution calling on the District Government to Survey and Fix Every (SAFE) Sidewalk
March 15, 2023: Sponsored the ANC 5B Resolution in Support of Councilmember Parker's FY 2024 Budget Requests and Transit and Traffic Safety Priorities
February 16, 2023: Hosted a Single Member District 5B01 Town Hall with DDOT
February 2-14, 2023: Reached out to neighbors, especially those on 1900 Block of Varnum, 4300 & 4400 Blocks of 19th, and 4300 Block of 20th regarding New Traffic Calming Proposed by DDOT
January 31-Feb. 2, 2023: Highlighted Crosswalks and provided budget feedback to Councilmember Parker, especially for outstanding requests for repainting
December 10, 2022: Attended the WMATA announcement of their new Strategic Plan and Better Bus Initiative and provided extensive feedback
Take Action
If you see or experience unsafe streets - vehicles speeding, failing to stop/yield, cut through traffic, people at risk -- then the most important action you can take is to put in a 311 Traffic Safety Input Request. The Traffic Safety Input will then be loaded into DDOT's tracker and boost chances our neighborhood streets will be made safer by DDOT.
What Else Can I Do?
You can attend Commission 5B's Transportation and Public Space Committee Meetings and even volunteer to help!
If you want to do more, let me know!