08/11/2026
BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY:
Join the Virginia Highway Safety Office (HSO) safety campaign to remind the public to make
safe choices as school starts back up again. This initiative focuses on pedestrian safety,
speed prevention, and distracted driving prevention.
• Everyone has a responsibility to keep pedestrians safe.
• People choose to speed for many reasons, including running late, frustration with
traffic, or a disregard for others and the law. However, none of these reasons
outweigh the risk of a crash.
• Distracted driving is any activity that diverts your attention away from the road.
Pedestrian Safety
• Both drivers and pedestrians must follow the rules of the road and obey signs and
signals.
• Drivers must follow the speed limit, especially around school zones and
neighborhoods.
• Walk on sidewalks when they’re available. If there aren’t sidewalks, walk facing
traffic and as far away from vehicles as possible.
• Ensure children under 10 have a walking buddy and do not cross the street alone.
• Drivers should yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
• Pedestrians should be extra cautious at night and wear reflective clothing to stay visible.
Speed Prevention
• Speeding creates the potential for loss of vehicle control and raises the risk of a crash.
• The faster you’re driving, the farther your vehicle will travel while you recognize and react to a hazard—leaving you less time and distance to avoid a crash.
• Speeding is a form of aggressive driving.
• Speeding puts the driver, passengers, pedestrians, and everyone else on the road at risk.
• The faster the vehicle is moving, the longer it will take to stop after a driver has reacted to a hazard.
• Speed affects safety even when you are driving the speed limit. Always consider road, weather, and traffic conditions, and reduce your speed when necessary.
Distracted Driving Prevention
• Cell phone use is the most common distraction for drivers because it diverts visual, manual, and cognitive attention.
• If you are expecting a phone call or text, pull over and park your vehicle before picking up your phone.
• Set a good example when you’re behind the wheel, just because others drive distracted does not mean it is acceptable.
• Speak up if your passengers are distracting you.
• Even something as simple as adjusting the climate controls can distract you from driving safely.
Data Facts (VA)
• In 2025, there were 1,612 crashes that involved pedestrians, including 139 fatalities.
• In August and September 2025, there were 289 pedestrian related crashes, representing 17.9% of all pedestrian crashes that year.
• In 2025, there were 22,529 speed-related crashes, including 342 fatalities.
• In August and September 2025, there were 3,389 speed-related crashes, representing 15% of all speed-related crashes that year.
• In 2025, there were 17,357 crashes that involved distracted drivers, including 116 fatalities.
• In August and September 2025, there were 2,777 crashes that involved distracted drivers, that’s 16% of the crashes in the entire year.
