Councilmember Anita Bonds introduces LIGHT DC Amendment for pedestrian safety
March 04, 2025 | Introduced, Senate, 2025 Bills, District of Columbia Legislation Bills, District of Columbia
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On March 4, 2025, Councilmember Anita Bonds, alongside fellow Councilmembers Brooke Pinto, Janeese Lewis George, Robert White, and Zachary Parker, introduced the “Lighting Intentionally Guides and Halts Transgressions in DC (LIGHT DC) Amendment Act of 2025” to the District of Columbia Senate State Legislature. This legislation aims to enhance public safety by mandating the installation and maintenance of lighting at all designated pedestrian crosswalks and bicycle trails located in parks and forested areas throughout the District.
The primary purpose of the LIGHT DC Amendment Act is twofold: to illuminate pedestrian crosswalks and bicycle trails, thereby improving visibility and safety for users, and to address the alarming statistics surrounding pedestrian fatalities and injuries in the District. According to data from VisionZero DC, between 2017 and 2021, 58 pedestrians lost their lives on District roadways, accounting for 36% of all traffic fatalities. Additionally, 2,159 pedestrians were injured during the same period, highlighting a significant public safety concern that the bill seeks to mitigate.
The legislation builds upon existing safety measures, such as crosswalks and speed limits, by introducing a crucial element—lighting—that is currently lacking in many areas frequented by pedestrians and cyclists. The bill's proponents argue that enhancing visibility in these zones is essential to reducing preventable injuries and fatalities, particularly as pedestrian deaths in the D.C. area have doubled over the past decade.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it is expected to spark discussions regarding its potential economic and social implications. Supporters emphasize the importance of creating safer urban environments, while critics may raise concerns about the costs associated with installation and maintenance of the lighting infrastructure.
The LIGHT DC Amendment Act represents a proactive approach to addressing public safety in the District, and its passage could lead to significant changes in how pedestrian and cyclist safety is prioritized in urban planning. As the Council continues to deliberate on this legislation, the outcomes could set a precedent for similar initiatives aimed at enhancing safety in urban areas across the nation.
The primary purpose of the LIGHT DC Amendment Act is twofold: to illuminate pedestrian crosswalks and bicycle trails, thereby improving visibility and safety for users, and to address the alarming statistics surrounding pedestrian fatalities and injuries in the District. According to data from VisionZero DC, between 2017 and 2021, 58 pedestrians lost their lives on District roadways, accounting for 36% of all traffic fatalities. Additionally, 2,159 pedestrians were injured during the same period, highlighting a significant public safety concern that the bill seeks to mitigate.
The legislation builds upon existing safety measures, such as crosswalks and speed limits, by introducing a crucial element—lighting—that is currently lacking in many areas frequented by pedestrians and cyclists. The bill's proponents argue that enhancing visibility in these zones is essential to reducing preventable injuries and fatalities, particularly as pedestrian deaths in the D.C. area have doubled over the past decade.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it is expected to spark discussions regarding its potential economic and social implications. Supporters emphasize the importance of creating safer urban environments, while critics may raise concerns about the costs associated with installation and maintenance of the lighting infrastructure.
The LIGHT DC Amendment Act represents a proactive approach to addressing public safety in the District, and its passage could lead to significant changes in how pedestrian and cyclist safety is prioritized in urban planning. As the Council continues to deliberate on this legislation, the outcomes could set a precedent for similar initiatives aimed at enhancing safety in urban areas across the nation.
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