Ultimately, this is about quality of life and attractive, competitive communities for residents of D.C. and the region, enhanced by having alternatives to hours spent driving and sitting in traffic and reducing the air pollution harming us — life and work enhanced by a green, sustainable and people-oriented downtown.

D.C. committed to Vision Zero in 2015, envisioning a future where there will be zero serious injuries or fatalities on its streets. This would of course be a major public health and equity accomplishment. Beyond avoiding tragic traffic deaths, safe streets would likely induce further uptake of walking, cycling, and alternative modes of transit, thus creating many other benefits via reduced air emissions and increased exercise. Unfortunately, traffic deaths in D.C. have been steadily increasing rather than decreasing. This is the result of a failure to pursue reckless drivers, as described above, as well as other breakdowns in governance, such as the failure to use the results of commissioned safety studies to establish priorities for infrastructure projects. We urge you to pursue the following actions at the legislative and executive levels in order to reduce risks from traffic violence while enhancing economic and racial equity.

CSG-testimony-re-DDOT-FY24-budget-oversight-4-11-23Download

Following a horrific crash, our partners at Cleveland Park Smart Growth are urging DDOT to limit Connecticut Ave to four lanes and reinstate parking during rush hour, until the street is redesigned with protected bike lanes. The city hasn’t acted since ANC 3C passed a resolution last year urging DDOT to reinstate rush-hour parking to make the street safer.

Submit your comments by August 11 to support a continued car-free Upper Beach Drive during the summer (proposed) but also make it year around too!