Roads maintained/managed by VDOT & localities; JLARC to study rate of accidents that cause fatality.
If enacted, this resolution seeks to provide a systematic approach to address road safety by utilizing data from VDOT to inform decision-making processes. The study will particularly focus on non-interstate roadways that accounted for the majority of the fatalities. With pedestrian deaths showing a significant rise, the bill underscores the urgency to analyze traffic conditions and policies that protect vulnerable road users while traveling on Virginia roads.
HJR65 directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to conduct a study analyzing the rate of fatal accidents on roads maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and localities. The bill highlights the concerning statistics of fatalities on Virginia's roadways, which saw a total of 1,005 deaths in 2022, a notable increase from the previous year. The report will aim to understand the underlying causes of these accidents and seek recommendations to enhance safety for all road users, including both drivers and pedestrians.
While the bill itself is framed as a public safety initiative, it may invite discussions about budget allocations and resource prioritization for VDOT and local agencies in conducting this study. Additionally, the findings could influence future legislative measures, leading to potential changes in law pertaining to road management and local regulations surrounding traffic safety. Stakeholders may have varying views on the sufficiency of current safety measures and the importance of further legislative action based on the outcomes of the JLARC study.