Study Names Alexandria Historic District Most Dangerous For Pedestrians In VA

ALEXANDRIA, VA — In a new analysis of crash data over seven years, the Alexandria Historic District was ranked the most dangerous area for pedestrians in Virginia.

Law firm Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp looked at data on pedestrian crashes from 2015 through June 2022, finding over 10,000 injuries and 848 deaths throughout Virginia. In collaboration with data visualization firm 1Point21 Interactive, the law firm ranked 20 areas in Virginia "where pedestrians are hit both frequently and in close proximity to one another," according to the study.

The Alexandria Historic District ranked first with 68 crashes and 75 pedestrian injuries identified from 2015 to June 2022. The study includes an interactive map with crash locations. One of the crashes identified on the map from 2022 happened during March in the 200 block of N. West Street, where a child was struck on the sidewalk when a vehicle left the roadway. The child had non-life-threatening injuries.

A map of crash data is also available on the city's Vision Zero website.

The Alexandria Historic District was the only area in Alexandria identified in the study. The area with the most areas dangerous for pedestrians was Arlington County with eight — Clarendon, Ballston, North Rosslyn, Columbia Pike corridor, Crystal City (Richmond Highway and 23rd Street), the Wilson Boulevard corridor, Court House, and Columbia Pike and S. Four Mile Run Drive. Richmond had six locations identified in the study.

Despite its history of pedestrian crashes, the City of Alexandria has sought steps to improve pedestrian safety across the city. In 2017, City Council adopted the Vision Zero action plan, which seeks to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2028. Implementing the Vision Zero plan means actions like improving pedestrian crossings, no turn on red restrictions and speed limit reductions. Speed limit reductions have been introduced in recent years on Seminary Road and Richmond Highway.

According to a 2021 Vision Zero progress report, efforts are underway to address sidewalk gaps near schools. The city has made progress addressing a sidewalk gap on Leslie Avenue at Glendale Avenue near George Washington Middle School, and plans are being made to add sidewalks missing on Polk Avenue between Pelham Street and Pegram Street near Polk Elementary and Francis Hammond Middle School. City Council recently denied a resident appeal against the Traffic and Parking Board decision to recommend removing nine parking spaces for the sidewalk addition on Polk Avenue.

In 2023, the city is expected to launch speed cameras in several school zones to record speed limit violations. Exact locations of speed enforcement cameras have not yet been announced.

See the full study on the most dangerous areas for pedestrians here.