Richmond Highway Concerns Extend Beyond New Speed Limit In Fairfax County

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — The lower speed limit on a large portion of Richmond Highway in Fairfax County got a mix of opposition and support, according to a Patch reader survey. But some concerns remain even with a slower speed limit, including continued speeding and reckless driving, pedestrians jaywalking and insufficient police enforcement.

From noon Tuesday to noon Friday, Patch surveyed readers on whether they support the speed limit reduction from 45 to 35 mph and whether they have other safety concerns on the roadway. The survey received over 330 responses, with 98.5 percent indicating they drive on Richmond Highway, while 10.5 percent said they walk, 4.2 percent ride transit and 2.7 percent bike. A total of 49.7 percent travel on Richmond Highway daily, and 38.9 percent do at least once per week.

On the new 35 mph speed limit between Capital Beltway/Alexandria city limits and Jeff Todd Way/Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, 51.2 percent are opposed. Another 43.4 percent support the speed limit reduction, and the remaining 5.4 percent were unsure.

The Virginia Department of Transportation cited safety for all kinds of road users as a reason to lower the speed limit. In the Patch survey, 53.6 percent believe safety hasn't improved with the speed limit reduction, and 26.9 percent were unsure. The remaining 19.5 percent believe safety has improved.

Still, survey respondents believe the greatest safety risk is to pedestrians. A total of 85.3 percent believe there are safety concerns for pedestrians on this stretch of Richmond Highway. There were 59.9 percent who see safety concerns for vehicle drivers or passengers, 56.3 percent for bicyclists, 30.5 percent for transit users and 8.1 percent who believe none face safety concerns.

The survey is non-scientific and is only intended to show Patch reader sentiment. The survey was shared with Greater Alexandria, Mount Vernon, and Lorton Patch, which has a readership along the Richmond Highway corridor.

Lingering Safety Concerns

Common concerns shared by respondents included drivers not following the speed limit, pedestrians jaywalking outside crosswalks, speeding drivers causing hazards by changing lanes and insufficient police enforcement.

Here are just a few notable responses from readers.

Jaywalking/Crossing Outside Crosswalks

• "[The] 35 mph speed limit will not stop pedestrians crossing the road where they should not, endangering themselves, their families and drivers," one reader shared. "The change in speed does nothing to improve safety unless pedestrians observe crosswalks, in addition to drivers observing speed limits."
• "The same people that have always illegally crossed in the middle of the road, panhandle, wander out in the road, and pay no attention to traffic are still practicing that bad behavior," another respondent shared. "They will continue to do so regardless of how low or high the speed limit is. The focus should be more on preventing illegal crossings and personal responsibility and not causing even more traffic problems which are now the result of the lower speed limit."
• "It doesn't matter how slow the speed on a highway is if people are going to jaywalk across that many lanes all hours of the day and night," said another.
• "I see no actual improvement to pedestrian safety," another respondent shared. "I would support measures to make the road safer, but just dropping the speed limit seems like a politician's easy way out."
• "Jaywalking is the biggest problem on Richmond Highway and it is still continuing In fact, the lower speeds probably encourages more jaywalking. This is a circumstance, in which bad behavior is being essentially condoned and encouraged by penalizing drivers. Maybe the county needs to add more crosswalks and more lights."

Speeding and Reckless Driving

• "Speeders changing lanes have created greater hazards. Lights are poorly timed. Pedestrians still dart across without benefit of crosswalks," one reader shared.
• "Faster drivers haven’t slowed down. Those who slowed down have gone even slower causing recklessness trying to get around," another reader shared.
• "People are getting used to driving under 45 in the area. but I still see a lot of people going over 45 passing me quite often. may need more surveillance from the police. maybe speed cams work much better to be honest," another wrote.
• "Speeders, reckless driving, & running red lights continues to be the biggest issue. Wrecks are still happening," another reader shared. "Perhaps the previous 45mph speed limit should have been more [enforced]."
• "I have lived here for over 30 years and have never experienced any unusual speed related concerns," the respondent wrote. "I am now retired and the new speed limit is slow for a multi lane highway in particular during non rush hour. Previously during rush hour traffic generally moved slower than the speed limit anyhow."
• I don't think people are going 35 all the time but they are going slower, so it's an improvement.

More Enforcement

• "I have not seen any enforcement of the new speed limit and some drivers are weaving in and out of the slower traffic," one reader wrote. "I have seen a number of drivers who pass slower drivers using turn lanes and then cut back into the regular lanes. I have seen an increase in traffic on secondary roads. These drivers are exceeding the speed limit on residential neighborhoods."
• "Traffic is traveling at a more safe speed overall, but at night or early morning with less traffic, cars are still driving at race car speeds," another respondent shared. "There should be more reminders of the new speed for those less aware of the speed change."
• "Red light cameras and cameras enforcing speed limit, speed traps are needed."

Suggestions for Improvements

• "Pedestrians need more crossings," one responded wrote.
• "Put in pedestrian crosswalks with signals that go red when pedestrian pushes button," another shared.
• "That stretch of hwy need improvements to sidewalks, bike lanes and merging lanes," said another.
• "Richmond Highway used to be one of the main commuter routes," another reader wrote. "It is time to change that into our main street with a lower speed limit and better non automobile transit options."
• "The timing of the lights needs to be longer. Regardless of the changes in the speed limit there are always back ups on this road," another wrote.
• "Those who want to speed will speed, regardless of the speed limit," said another respondent. "Two things to reduce accidents are enforcement and pedestrians using crosswalks at signalled intersections."
• "I hope it will work, but it would need to have consistent enforcement of the penalties," another said. "Might need something stronger, whatever that might be. Put artificial curves/roundabouts in the road to make people slow down. People are in a hurry and distracted, not paying close enough attention."