Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is rolling out a new School Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment Program to address safety concerns at its 200 schools. Discussed during a school board work session in mid-January, the program seeks to streamline how schools identify and resolve issues like crowded “Kiss and Ride” loops, bus congestion, and pedestrian safety risks.
The initiative comes after a series of tragic incidents involving students crossing busy intersections, including a fatal crash near Barcroft View Apartments. While some school board members have praised the program as a step in the right direction, concerns have been raised about its reliance on principals and other school staff to lead safety assessments. Many board members highlighted the significant workloads already carried by school administrators, emphasizing the need for centralized support to avoid overwhelming individual schools.
The program will begin with a pilot involving six schools, where designated staff members will conduct annual self-assessments using an electronic survey to evaluate traffic and pedestrian safety. Findings will be reported to the central office, which will prioritize resources for schools with the most urgent needs. Additionally, a “mitigation toolkit” has been developed to guide schools in addressing smaller issues independently, such as improving signage or staggering drop-off times.
While these steps are promising, this is a critical moment to ensure the program is both effective and sustainable. FABB encourages concerned parents and others to contact your school board member to request the following actions:
- Centralize Resources: Ensure the responsibility for traffic and pedestrian safety does not fall solely on principals or school staff. Advocate for a centralized approach that provides schools with the resources and support they need to implement safety improvements effectively.
- Promote Walking and Biking: Encourage FCPS to include initiatives that increase the number of students walking and biking to school while reducing Kiss and Ride trips. These steps can alleviate congestion and foster healthier, more sustainable habits.
- Expand Safe Routes to School: Urge the board to increase the number of positions dedicated to the Safe Routes to School program, ensuring a robust, countywide effort to make walking and biking to school safer and more accessible.
Your advocacy can help shape a program that not only addresses existing safety concerns but also promotes long-term solutions for safer, more sustainable school commutes. Let’s work together to make every route to school a safe one!
