Commission reviews speed surveys, crash statistics and driver‑feedback sign pilot; staff to collect additional data

Town traffic staff presented recent crash statistics, speed survey results and the status of a driver‑feedback sign pilot during the Leesburg Traffic Commission meeting.

Staff reported 743 crashes in the town for 2025 to date and listed top crash locations including East Market Street and the Leesburg Bypass; staff said the crashes did not show a consistent roadway deficiency. Speed surveys at several locations produced mixed results: one speed trailer deployment on Axios/Mason (near Mason's Lane) recorded a minimum of 6 mph, a maximum of 35 mph and an average speed of about 13.4 mph in a 25 mph zone; another five‑day count on North King Street showed an average near 29.25 mph, an 80th percentile around 35.87 mph and a maximum of 61 mph in the sample period. Staff also reported an average daily volume of about 4,289 vehicles on North King during the measured period.

Commissioners and residents raised specific site concerns: a church representative at 741 Miller Drive asked about vehicle speeds near the crosswalk and described drivers “blow[ing] through” the 25 mph zone; residents flagged commuter cut‑throughs on Wood Street and Royal Street and near school dismissal zones at the middle school. Staff described enforcement activity by the sheriff’s office at Miller Drive (multiple traffic stops observed during one enforcement period) and the use of short deployments of radar trailers and pneumatic tubes to collect short‑term counts. Staff said a one‑ to several‑day trailer deployment is often sufficient for these initial checks; commissioners asked staff to run short counts at Harrison Street and Roanoke and at the 200 block of Kentucky (as discussed later in the meeting).

Commissioners discussed using driver‑feedback signs and other low‑cost measures, and whether devices should be sited in residential areas or on nonresidential corridors where enforcement support is readily available. Staff agreed to share exact active dates for sign trailer deployments and to provide follow‑up counts and a schedule for monitoring the pilot program. The commission also approved putting a small pool of funding toward flashing devices and pedestrian outreach materials: members noted $1,200 had been approved earlier in the meeting to support flashing devices and printing of outreach materials.