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Transurban North America, operator of the 95, 395, and 495 Express Lanes, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Virginia State Police (VSP) are partnering to launch an innovative defensive driving safety campaign targeted to motorists traveling along interstates 95, 395, and 495.
The campaign uses messaging that urges motorists to drive defensively due to the hazards posed by other travelers’ unsafe behavior, such as speeding, texting, and aggressive driving. The partnership is using results from an initial pilot campaign initiative aimed at Express Lanes users on I-95 and I-495, which showed that positive changes in motorists’ behavior can be achieved through communicating the risk of other drivers’ actions.
“When drivers are aware of potential risks, they’re more likely to adjust their own behaviors and drive more cautiously,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “By focusing on the unpredictable actions of others—like speeding or texting—we’re tapping into a mindset that encourages drivers to stay alert and take greater responsibility for safety, which we believe will lead to lasting behavior change across Northern Virginia.”
“If you are getting behind the wheel of a vehicle, your safety and the safety of those around you should be a top priority,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen C. Brich. “Stay focused on the task at hand, drive the posted speed limit, and pay attention to the motorists around you. Our partnered safety campaign with Transurban, DMV, and VSP is set to remind everyone to do just that.”
The campaign will include radio, digital, and social media advertisements funded by the private partner, Transurban. It will also pilot trial messaging on Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) located on both the general purpose and Express Lanes.
“We know, first hand, the difference driver behavior can make in reducing the number of crashes and fatalities on Virginia’s roadways,” said Lt. Col Matt Hanley, Interim Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “We encourage all drivers to slow down, limit distractions, and drive defensively so that everyone can get to their destination safely.”
Through the public-private partnership effort, Transurban, VDOT, DMV and VSP are focused on reversing a deadly trend. Motor vehicle crashes were one of the top four leading causes of death from 2015 to 2019 for Virginians between the ages of 5 and 34, according to the Virginia Strategic Highway Safety Plan. In 2023, 23,309 crashes occurred on Virginia interstates resulting in 139 fatalities, according to the DMV.
“Safety is personal to us at Transurban – both as a company with safety at the forefront of our Express Lanes operations and as community members traveling our region’s roadways every day,” said Beau Memory, President, Transurban North America. “That is why together with our partners, Transurban is putting cutting-edge behavioral research to work with the launch of this safety campaign to move this region further towards its Vision Zero goals by promoting a defensive driving mindset.”
A fall 2023 pilot conducted by Transurban found the message “Watch Out for Speeders” on roadway DMS helped decrease speeding along the corridor by about 2%. While seemingly slight, studies have shown that this would equate to an approximate 8% reduction in fatality risk.
A spring 2022 survey of 400 Washington, D.C. regional drivers commissioned by Transurban and conducted by APCO Insight informed the on-road pilot. It found drivers overwhelmingly feel they are safe on the road despite engaging in risky behavior, like texting and speeding, while simultaneously believing others on the road cannot safely drive and engage in those behaviors. Further, advisory sign messages that warned of other drivers’ dangerous behaviors were ranked by motorists as a top reason to improve their own behavior.
Throughout the defensive driving campaign, continued research is anticipated to expand roadway safety knowledge and effectiveness of driver behavior initiatives.
Together, VDOT and Transurban are currently delivering the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project that will offer new travel options to the millions of customers who travel the Express Lanes network.
For over a dozen years, Transurban has worked alongside the Commonwealth of Virginia to improve the safety of motorists on some of the most heavily-traveled highway corridors in the Washington, D.C., region while constructing complex infrastructure projects.
Stafford County’s DMV Select, housed within the Treasurer’s Office, will temporarily close for renovations starting Monday, October 28, 2024.
While the DMV Select services will be unavailable during this period, the Treasurer’s Office will remain operational and continue to provide regular services such as real estate and property tax collections, dog license fees, permit fees, and utility charges.
The renovations, approved by the Stafford County Board of Supervisors on October 1, 2024, aim to bring the office into ADA compliance, enhance safety features, and optimize the workspace to accommodate the needs of Stafford’s growing community. The $299,201 renovation project is expected to conclude by January 2025, though the Treasurer’s Office hopes to reopen DMV services before then, depending on construction progress.
Treasurer Michael Sienkowski emphasized the importance of the updates: “Our current lobby and DMV Select area are not ADA-compliant for both customers and employees. This project will address that while also improving the safety and security of the office.”
Minimal Disruption to Services
Although the DMV Select will be closed during renovations, the Treasurer’s Office will remain open, and staff are taking steps to minimize service disruptions. Due to ongoing construction, there may be occasional delays in accepting payments at the office. To avoid these delays, residents are encouraged to use Stafford’s online payment portal at staffordcountyva.gov/epay. Additional staff will be available by phone to assist with any inquiries.
“We appreciate the public’s patience as we work to improve the facility and ensure it meets ADA standards,” Sienkowski added.
Background and Financial Allocation
The renovation project was approved with a budget of $299,201, sourced from a combination of Capital Improvement Funds and the General Fund. A portion of the funds, $49,201, is allocated from the Capital Improvement Funds for space needs, while $250,000 comes from the DMV funds held by the Treasurer’s Office.
Centennial Contractors Enterprises is overseeing the renovation, and the county’s construction manager is ensuring the project stays within the authorized budget and timeline.
Q&A with Treasurer Michael Sienkowski
Potomac Local News called on Treasurer Michael Sienkowski to provide further insight into the project. Here are some highlights from the conversation:
Q: What is the projected completion date for the renovation?
Sienkowski: We anticipate completion by the end of the year, hopefully reopening DMV services before January, depending on the progress.
Q: When were the last renovations to the office, and what improvements were made?**
Sienkowski: The last renovation was in 2015, focusing on the collections section of the office, not the DMV Select area. The final cost was $111K.
Q: How is the current project being funded, and who is overseeing the budget?
Sienkowski: Less than 20% of the project is funded by the county. The remainder comes from DMV partnership funds, not tax dollars. The county has assigned a construction manager to oversee the project and ensure it stays on time and within budget.
October is Pedestrian Safety Month, and the Prince William Police Department is urging both pedestrians and drivers to prioritize safety on the roads. Drivers must stop for pedestrians in all crosswalks, while pedestrians are encouraged to use marked crosswalks and follow safety tips to avoid accidents.
Press Release from Prince William Police Department:
October is Pedestrian Safety Month, and the Prince William County Police Department joins the Department of Motor Vehicles and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration in reminding pedestrians and drivers to respect each other to stay safe on the roads.
Drivers must stop – not just yield – for pedestrians in all crosswalks in Virginia in any marked or unmarked intersection where the speed limit is 35 mph or less. They could face a fine of between $100 and $500 if they fail to do so. Drivers can proceed once the pedestrian has passed the lane in which the vehicle is stopped.
Pedestrians must do their parts as well. While it might be convenient to cross a roadway wherever they happen to be, those on foot should use marked crosswalks for increased safety. Following are some tips to be safe if you are walking by yourself or with others:
- Cross the street at the corner and use marked crosswalks when they are available. That’s where drivers are expecting to see you.
- Wait for the walk signal to cross the street.
- Watch for turning vehicles.
- Before crossing look left, right, and left again.
- Watch out for blind spots around trucks and buses.
- Avoid using your cell phone while you are crossing the street.
- On an off-street trail, obey all posted signage and approach intersections with caution.
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Effective July 1, 2024 new laws enacted by the Virginia General Assembly will bring several changes for DMV customers. These changes include updates to the uninsured motor vehicle fee, farm use placards, disabled parking placard duration, and manufactured home conversion procedures.
DMV offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4.
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Delegate Candi Mundon King (D-Prince William, Stafford) introduced two bills in the General Assembly Session that deal with transportation.
The first would cap the total amount of tolls drivers pay on the E-ZPass Express Lanes in the state to $200 per month. The bill would also allow disabled military veterans to use the lanes at no charge.
HB811 has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation. Delegates Nadarius E. Clark (D-Suffolk) and Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) are co-patrons.
King’s second bill, HB812, would bar the DMV from issuing any license plates that reference the “Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, or any other prominent Confederate leader.”
Virignia offers license plates commemorating Confederate General Robert E. Lee, a native Virginian, and a plate for the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
The House Transportation Committee meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. during the session through March 10, 2024.
Locally, Delegates Brianna Sewell (D-Prince William) and Paul Milde (R-Stafford) sit on the committee.
King also chairs the House Committee on Counties, Cities, and Towns in the 2024 General Assembly Session.
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Virginia DMV: “The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) encourages customers to take advantage of convenient time-saving online services especially when full-service customer service centers are closed. DMV offices will be closed on the following days for state holidays and observances this year:”
- January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- February 19: George Washington Day
- May 27: Memorial Day
- June 19: Juneteenth
- July 4: Independence Day
- September 2: Labor Day
- October 14: Columbus Day and Yorktown Victory Day
- November 5: Election Day
- November 11: Veterans Day (observed)
“During these closures and anytime, you can renew your tags, update your address, renew or replace your driver’s license or ID card, in addition to dozens of other services available at dmv.virginia.gov. Most transactions take minutes to complete, saving you a trip to a DMV location.”