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Prince William County seeing an increase in pedestrian-related crashes this year

The total number of pedestrian-related crashes in 2024 is 55% higher than those seen year-to-date in both 2023 and 2022, police say.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — The Prince William County Police Department is sounding the alarm as they are seeing an increase in pedestrian-related crashes this year.

Over the years, the police department says it has conducted campaigns to inform people of safe practices for the roadways, but despite those efforts, pedestrian-related crashes continue to be a concern. From New Year's Day until the end of February 2024, the police department has investigated 17 crashes involving pedestrians, with three of them being deadly. 

The total number of pedestrian-related crashes in 2024 is 55% higher than those seen year-to-date in both 2023 and 2022, the department says. In addition, it is close to, if not more than, double what was seen in 2021 and 2020.

In 2024 thus far, pedestrian-related crashes have been happening more frequently in the morning, during the 6 a.m. hour, and the evening between the 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. hours. During the week, Thursdays have seen the highest amount of these collisions. 

Five Year Analysis

Between 2019 and 2023, there were close to 22,000 reportable crashes along roadways in the county. Around 1.6% of those crashes during that timeframe were pedestrian-related. Collisions resulting in a death and, specifically those involving pedestrians, were about 30% of total fatalities. Pedestrians are more likely to suffer from some form of injury, from minor to severe, when involved in a collision with a vehicle. 

2023 Analysis

Last year, there were 87 pedestrian-related crashes in the county, up 10.1% from 79 in 2022. While deadly pedestrian-related crashes fell 45.5% from a historic high of 11 in 2022 to six in 2023, the police department has investigated two fatal pedestrian crashes so far in 2024, both attributing to actions of the pedestrian as the cause. 

Overall, in 2023, the majority of the crashes happened in the fourth quarter of the year, totaling 28 or about 32.2%. The highest number took place in October at 15, followed by May totaling 11. During the average week, Thursday and Friday saw the biggest spike in pedestrian crashes in 2023, at 19 and 17 respectively. Around 41.2% of pedestrian crashes in 2023, totaling 36, happened between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. with an additional 16 between the 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. hours. 

In addition, pedestrian-related crashes showed a considerable concentration in densely populated areas and along busy corridors, such as Richmond Highway, Old Bridge Road and Sudley Road.

Best Practices For Drivers And Pedestrians

The police department has issued the following tips for both drivers and pedestrians to follow for safe practices to reduce crashes: 

  • Following all traffic laws
  • Planning time and a route ahead of leaving your home
  • Obeying all posted signs and signals
  • Limiting phone and other distractions
  • Avoiding impairments such as alcohol and drugs
  • Dressing to be seen (pedestrians specifically)
  • Keeping out of the roadway unless legally crossing in a designated area such as a crosswalk

"There is no license required to be a pedestrian," PWCPD said in a press release. "We are all pedestrians, and it is incumbent upon each person to know the law, follow the rules of the road, and use best practices to navigate safely."

Click here for more tips.  

Watch Next: $11 million pours into Prince George's for pedestrian safety

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