Del. David Toscano has introduced a bill to address the law not reflecting the state of crosswalk signals, as came up in the Gerry Mitchell case. #
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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A few thoughts:
1. Whether the word “walk” or a little green person walking, the bigger issue is how much time a pedestrian has to cross safely. I’ve seen timers counting down 25 or 30 seconds in other cities. That make sense to me. Otherwise, its easy to get caught in the middle with traffic coming at you.
2. The law says that pedestrians have right of way, then it says pedestrians can’t be in the crosswalk against the signal, which goes back to my first thought… I know that Boston area streets have a system to make all on the same page. There is a signal on the traffic light that warns drivers that a pedestrian has pushed the crossing button. Both green and yellow blink.
I’d like to see some research done with other cities that have addressed pedestrian safety.
I’d also like to see the general assembly address the need for accountability for dumb old accidents made by police officers.
The Boston system sounds good. I absolutely agree that what’s important is the amount of time pedestrians are given to cross safely. I am a fast walker, and I’m hard pressed to get all the way across any intersection in C’ville before the “Don’t Walk” starts flashing at me. And you have to be ready to cross at the minute the light changes. Don’t even think about trying to safely cross an intersection if you’re approaching from even a little way down the street. You won’t have time.