Immediate Release: Wednesday, Mar. 30, 2022
Contact: Nick DelleDonne,
delledonne.n@comcast.net , 703 929 6656
Mendo Puts Finger on DDOT Failures
Proposed Changes Lack Data, Comprehensive Planning
DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson put his finger on a core problem in the District Department of Transportation's (DDOT) implementation of Vision Zero and other bike-centered policies. Namely, there is little evidence that DDOT really analyzes the full range of traffic issues in the planning process before installation.
The head of the City Council was speaking last evening, March 29, at a candidate forum organized by the Washington Area Bicyclists Association. A bill in the Council, for example, would ban right turn on red (RTOR) to make intersections safer, but the public has yet to see any data to show that the present law which allows RTOR causes accidents.
A complex of traffic bills pending in the Council include Safe Routes to School, Walk Without Worry and the Safer Intersections bill, all justified as safer. Current law, for instance, now requires cyclists to obey the same traffic regulations as car drivers. But one provision, the so-called 'Idaho Stop,' would allow cyclists to run stop signs and treat red lights as stop signs, a reckless practice without supporting data. It would sanction bad behavior. That is novel approach to legislation.
Mendelson also correctly named the Mayor as directly responsible for the administration of DDOT, not the Council, and no legislation cannot substitute for inept administration. Even DDOT Director Everett Lott has cautioned the Council that excessive laws can hamper administration and make us less safe.
“The thrust of these bills would put DDOT on automatic pilot, triggering an automatic response, when what we really need is consideration of the problems to find appropriate solutions and more community engagement,” said Nick DelleDonne, president of Dupont East Civic Action Association (DECCA) where DDOT installed the controversial 17th St. Bike Plan that has caused massive confusion, threatens the many businesses that depend on truck deliveries, and jeopardizes the livable walkable community so highly prized.
DECCA and the city-wide Coalition on DDOT Bike Plans encourages all interested parties to participate in the Council hearings on the RTOR and Idaho Stop bills on May 5.
Join the neighborhood discussion and action forum, HearUsNow!
Join Dupont East Civic Action Association
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