Vision Zero Town Hall Scheduled After Spate Of Pedestrian Deaths

WHEATON, MD — Following a recent spate of pedestrian deaths, the Montgomery County Council has announced it will hold a Vision Zero town hall meeting Feb. 9 in Wheaton.

More details about the town hall meeting will be provided as they become available, but county officials say it will give residents the opportunity to express their concerns about pedestrian and bicycle safety. During the event, residents can also learn more about the county's Vision Zero plan — which aims to reduce severe and fatal collisions for drivers and their passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists by 2030.

So far in 2020, there have been three pedestrian deaths. Two of those deaths occurred on Rockville Pike last week.

"(O)ur condolences go out to all of the families who have lost loved ones on our sidewalks and roadways in Montgomery County" said Council President Sidney Katz. "This month alone we have lost Jose Renan Guillen from Olney, Michael Louis Gamboa from Gaithersburg, and Brett Richard Badin from Rockville to pedestrian collisions. In addition to these deaths, there have been numerous crashes where pedestrians and bicyclists have sustained serious injuries."

In recent years, the council has activated multiple pedestrian safety crosswalk systems, held several meetings with the county Department of Transportation and the State Highway Administration, and hosted numerous Vision Zero town halls and forums.

The last town hall was hosted by council member Evan Glass in December.

"As a Council, we will continue to work with our residents, advocacy groups and planning, transportation and public safety experts to find new and innovative ways to expand our pedestrian safety measures and revamp and enhance our public education campaigns to truly make our community a safe place to walk, bike and commute using multimodal transportation options," Katz said.