Compassion Shouldn’t End at the City Line

Editor,

The City of Falls Church has been a leader in pedestrian safety and its recent programs have achieved speed limit reductions, cameras to aid school bus safety and securing funding for synchronization of traffic signals.

Unfortunately, it seems the compassion that city residents feel for pedestrians ends as soon as they pass one of the many “Little City” signs. On West Street for example, vehicles pick up speed as they pass Laura Drive and don’t slow until they hit the stoplight at the intersection of Lee Highway. Privately owned vehicles, delivery vans and tractor-trailers frequently travel above the speed limit along this stretch. The number of semi trucks and construction vehicles has increased despite zero business addresses between Broad Street and Lee Highway.

There are two crosswalks located in this area; one of which is the main crosswalk for Timber Lane Elementary School. The southbound view of the crosswalk is obscured by a hill and a subsequent dip in the road until cars are within 200 feet of the crossing. While traveling northbound it is obscured by a curve in the road. Even at 25 mph this makes exercising, walking pets and traveling to and from school a significant danger for pedestrians.

With National Walk to School Day around the corner, I implore drivers to expand their compassion to the most vulnerable stakeholders of these crossings: children.

Even if they don’t live within Falls Church City limits.

-Sarah Hedges