Speeding is not a problem on Cardinal Drive in Woodbridge, where a woman was struck and later died after walking her dog on May 1.
The victim, Deborah Lynn Talbot, 50, died two days later at an area hospital. A suspect, 19-year-old Cierra Dickerson, is charged with racing, a form of reckless driving, is scheduled to have a jury trial on February 8, 2021.
Prince William County Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry ordered county police to conduct a study. It did, between May 14 and June 17, and found most drivers travel at or below the posted speed limit of 45 mph.
“Speed on Cardinal Drive is not an issue overall,” said Prince William police Lt. Joe Robinson, who presented the study data to the Prince William Board of County Supervisors on November 17.
Police studied three locations along the five-mile stretch of road — at the Moose Lodge, at the intersection with Benita Fitzgerald Drive, and at Waterway Drive, at Montclair’s west entrance.
Cardinal Drive eastbound approach to the Moose Lodge, 15424 Cardinal Drive
- Average cars per day 5,517
- Average speed 45.3 mph
Cardinal Drive eastbound approach to the Moose Lodge, at 15424 Cardinal Drive
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- Average cars per day: 4,683
- Average speed: 45.3 mph
Cardinal Drive eastbound approach to Benita Fitzgerald Drive
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- Average cars per day: 6,474
- Average speed: 38.4 mph
Cardinal Drive eastbound approach to Benita Fitzgerald Drive
- Average cars per day: 6,192
- Average speed: 41.5
Cardinal Drive eastbound approach to Waterway Drive
- Average cars per day: 8,154
- Average speed: 45.3 mph
Cardinal Drive westbound approach to Waterway Drive
- Average vehicles per day: 6,421
- Average speed: 47.1
Robison explained to the Board of County Supervisors the road has multiple straight portions that allow some drivers to reach speeds over 90 mph, and he added those cases are rare.
Last year, police spent more than 400 hours conducting speed enforcement on Cardinal Drive, issuing some 825 tickets. This year, they’ve spent 300 hours patrolling the area, issuing more than 340 tickets.
Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey asked police if more speed indicator signs could be installed along the street. The signs warn show oncoming drivers how fast they’re traveling and then begin flashing if they exceed the sign’s posted speed limit.
Ann Wheeler, Chair, At-large, directed police to look into “Vision Zero,” a European method that has been adopted by urban localities Arlington, and Washington, D.C., used to curb pedestrian deaths.
The program would require more speed cameras that are used to find speeders. Overall, the program would not work in Prince William County, police said, as the community lacks a light rail transportation system. Its residents rely on vehicles to get where they’re going.
Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin voiced her displeasure with the prospect of using more speed cameras, or “traps,” saying they disproportionally affect the poor.
Following the presentation, Angry was undeterred.
“I’m going to do all we can to get a handle on speeding,” Angry said.
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