The Central Virginia Transportation Planning Organization would like to to give a special thank you to Brittany Slaughter for covering our Transportation Summit.
LYNCHBURG, Va (WSET)-- — Local leaders want to make it safer for you when you get behind the wheel.
On Friday they gathered for the Central Virginia Transportation Safety Summit to discuss a number of issues from speeding to distracted driving and pedestrian safety. During the event, leaders brainstormed ways to make their communities safer.
This comes after more than 200 people died on Virginia roadways between 2018 and 2023, according to the executive director of the Central Virginia Planning District Commission, Alec Brebner. Brebner said the meeting is an opportunity to hear concerns and come up with solutions. "We have folks from all sections of the community that respond to traffic incidents to try to develop solutions and strategies specific to Central Virginia that will treat these issues," Brebner said.
Lynchburg Fire Chief Greg Wormser said it was an opportunity to learn from each other. "We're all trying to learn how we can be better at being collaborative for all of the types of traffic from pedestrians to car traffic, vehicular traffic, truck traffic, that we see throughout our community," Wormser said.
The groups focused on several areas in the region. In Appomattox County, they want to see more school bus safety, particularly along Route 460.Speeding was a major issue for Lynchburg. The group from The Summit mentioned the need for more patrols to catch speeders, or even a speed bump or two to slow down drivers. The group from Amherst County mentioned difficulties for trucks getting stuck in some areas, like on Old Stage Road.In Bedford, they are focused on crosswalks and pedestrian safety and want to see more speed alert signs.
"It's good to be here and see all the action. A lot of action. I think something good is going to come out of all of this, hopefully to provide safety for residents," said Woody Gregory, president of the Resident Council for The Summit.
Organizers said they hope the event helps raise awareness of road safety and moves the conversation.