New tool to report crashes, near-misses aims to improve bike and pedestrian safety

A new crash tracker and digital report form will allow people involved in, or witnesses to, a crash or near miss to share details, in the hope of ensuring safer roads for cyclists and pedestrians.

See you again crash tracker and digital report form will allow people involved in, or witnesses to, a crash or near miss to share details, in the hope of ensuring safer roads for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association launched the phone-friendly report form “due to the increase in traffic deaths and serious injuries throughout the region in recent years” , said Jeremiah Lowery, the group’s director of advocacy.

Under the question, “What do you report?” users can check the boxes marked crash, near-miss, dangerous place or parked vehicle, as well as the date and time.

“A near miss means if they’re walking across the street or on their bike, and a car almost hits them — they can report that,” Lowery said.

For example for a dangerous place: “If you see glass on the road, or something on the road prevents your ability to walk on the road, or bike on the road.”

According to the WABA website: “The information you submit is not forwarded to any police department or corporation and any names and email addresses will be kept strictly confidential. However, you will have the option to submit your report to your local elected official and to the transportation department to encourage them to make the necessary changes to the road.

Lowery said users who choose the option to share their contact information can speak directly to their elected officials and transportation agencies, “so they can get that information, which hopefully will inform their decisions when it comes to the roads we need to change.”

Even with anonymous details, Lowery said the advocacy group will put the information to good use.

“We map it, we put it on a map, so we can see where the dangerous places are, and where the traffic crashes are happening,” Lowery said. “So that will inform our advocacy as we engage elected officials and government agencies across the region.”

The form asks where the incident occurred. Users can check DC, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County, Prince George’s County or Montgomery County.

An interactive map allows the reporter to place a digital pin at the exact location of the incident. Users can upload any image or describe the incident in their own words.

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