With OHECA encouragement, VDOT is upgrading pedestrian crossings on Huntsman Blvd from Old Keene Mill Rd to Spelman Dr. Still, these crossings can only be as safe as pedestrian and driver awareness allows. In this regard, OHECA member Les Terry has contributed the following facts on driver stopping distance.

The speed limit on residential streets in Orange Hunt Estates, whether posted or not, is 25 mph (except Sydenstricker Rd., posted at 30 mph). No matter what the vehicle driver’s speed, it will always be feet per second, your reaction time, braking distance and road surface conditions in stopping safely. The average reaction time from point of sight of the object in or coming into your pathway per reliable studies is 2.8 seconds. No two drivers will have the same reaction time response. It is a simple equation of Reaction Time + Braking Distance = Stopping Distance. The faster the speed the further surface area it takes to stop. Think about that! Please drive 25 mph and do not be distracted in operating a motor vehicle! Kids play on our streets. Schools will be reopening in mid-August with children crossing streets. Pedestrians of all ages are crossing streets.

A second community meeting on street safety will be held on May 22, 7-9:30 pm, in the Pohick Library meeting rooms. The initial meeting in March lacked all the content we expected. Consequently, OHECA plans a more organized agenda this time. Officials will be present from Supervisor Herrity’s office, the FCPD, VDOT, and FCDOT. Also, Sen Foy and Del Cohen have committed their attendance. OHECA will brief its concerns with a visual presentation covering crosswalk and speed issues, inconsistencies in related signage, and its recommendations to officials. We expect the FCPD West Springfield station to brief its findings on a second speed study on Huntsman Blvd. To maximize decorum, residents will be offered to submit questions in advance through an online portal, with instructions disseminated later. Attendees with questions during the meeting will be called upon in an orderly fashion, and they will be requested to not conduct disruptive side conversations when speakers have the floor. These were issues at the March meeting that we want to eliminate.