COUNTY TESTS HIGH-VISIBILITY SIGNS
Drivers and pedestrians at four-way stop signs throughout the county will find signs of a test program run by the county’s traffic engineers, in the Department of Public Works.
Responding to citizen concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety, county officials began a program in December to help make stop signs and pedestrian crossing signs more visible to drivers. “We’ve had a lot of citizen feedback about the abuse of stop signs,” said Terry Bellamy, chief of the traffic engineering division.
Bellamy’s staff identified 14 locations where residents complained of stop sign violations and traffic accidents were common. So far, 10 of those locations have been outfitted with reflective signs and signposts. In addition to the test areas, the new, high-visibility signs are being installed at all new four-way stops in the county.
Traffic engineers are using video cameras to observe how drivers and pedestrians react to the new signs. They are also keeping track of the number of traffic accidents at the 10 test locations over a six-month period.
By the end of June, county officials expect to see a decrease in accidents compared with last year. “[The signs] seem to be paying some dividends,” said Bellamy. “We know we’re getting some reaction.”
SCHOOL BOARD MAY TAKE STAND ON IMMIGRATION
At its Thursday, Feb. 6, meeting, the Arlington school board will consider making a formal declaration in support of allowing undocumented immigrants to enroll in Virginia’s public colleges and universities, and to qualify for in-state tuition.
Arlington Del. Karen Darner (D-49) introduced a bill in the current General Assembly session that would guarantee in-state status for some graduates of Virginia high schools who are illegal immigrants. Last week a weaker bill went before the House of Delegates.
Debate over undocumented immigrant enrollment stemmed from a Sept. 5, 2002, statement by Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore that undocumented students do not have a legal right to receive in-state tuition.
The school board first discussed the issue as a matter of new business on Thursday, Jan. 9, and again on Thursday, Jan. 23, at which point board members asked Superintendent Robert Smith to draft a formal communication to state and federal officials, supporting Darner.
Board member David Foster cautioned against taking a formal stand until a governor’s task force can study the issue. Other board members continued to push for involvement, though, and included the item on the agenda for the board’s Feb. 6 meeting.