Thread by @marycheh

After yesterday's beautiful #bikedc weather, I'd like to share info on two new road safety bills that will make three big changes:

1⃣ Require @DDOTDC to upgrade temporary safety installations➡️permanent infrastructure
2⃣ Restrict right turns on red
3⃣ Legalize the Idaho Stop 🧵

If an immediate safety improvement is needed, @DDOTDC will often build out tactical safety infrastructure (think curb extensions, plastic bollards, etc).

While quick + cost-effective, these temporary materials often fall short on quality, safety standards, & durability.

The 'Upgrading Tactical Safety Projects Act' is an accountability bill designed to require an annual plan to convert tactical safety projects ➡️ permanent installations. It mandates both progress targets and community/ANC engagement.

The difference between plastic and permanent:

Right now, @DDOTDC will ban a right turn on red if the agency determines that safety conditions call for it.

The 'Safer Intersections Act' flips the script and prohibits right turn on red *unless* DDOT demonstrates that doing so would improve safety conditions at that location.

Interesting aside: right turns on red have only been legal in DC since 1979 –the impetus for the practice was due to the need for fuel efficiency during the world-wide oil crisis. Unfortunately, the likelihood of a crash and injury has increased as a result.

The second item from the bill is legalizing the practice of bike/scooter yielding at stop signs and treating red lights as stop signs.

This practice is known as the "Idaho Stop" and acknowledges the need of riders to maintain momentum + reduce exposure/proximity to car traffic.

Importantly, in jurisdictions where similar policies have been implemented, safety has improved. For example, in Delaware, bike-related crashes at stop signs (now treated as yield) dropped by 23% in the 1st year of adopting this policy.

The @DCBAC also called for this change:

Road safety is largely influenced by our infrastructure and user behavior, and these bills aim to improve both.

Thank you to my colleagues for joining me in this effort (end 🧵).