DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced together with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) the city’s investment of $10 million to improve safety measures at intersections and on roads, including adding more speed cameras.
“We are very troubled by the significant increase in fatalities that we’ve experienced on our roadways in 2021, and we know that too many of the deaths on our roads are due to drivers recklessly speeding through our streets,” Bowser said in a release.
“We need drivers to slow down – not just because they’re avoiding a ticket, but so they don’t kill people on our streets and sidewalks. The investments we’re making today are intended to slow drivers down and protect pedestrians, cyclists, and everyone moving around DC,” she continued.
As part of the mayor’s Vision Zero Summer Safety Campaign, around $5 million will be dedicated to safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists across the District. It includes the installation of driver feedback signs that alert drivers when they are too fast, rapid flashing beacons for pedestrians, new automated enforcement cameras, curb extensions, medians, and more.
“We are committed to bolder, quicker action that furthers Mayor Bowser’s belief that our streets can and should be safe for everyone, whether they choose to walk, drive, bike or roll,” DDOT Acting Director Everett Lott said.
Another $5 million will go towards upgrades to equipment and technology that support the District’s automated traffic enforcement program in the fiscal year 2022 budget.
The DC Circulator will remain free in the next fiscal year to encourage residents to use public transportation and reduce the number of cars in the streets.