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"Save Lives...Not Seconds" - Crosswalk Safety

The seconds saved by not stopping...may be the last seconds of someone's life.

The top ways pedestrians get hurt...

• Darting out from between parked cars
• Walking along the edge of a roadway
• Crossing a multi-lane street
• Crossing in front of a turning vehicle
• Crossing behind a vehicle that is backing up
• Trying to beat oncoming traffic at an intersection
• Crossing in front of a stopped bus

Stay alert...stay safe!  Everyone has a role...

Truths about Crosswalk safety:

VA DMV facts;during the past 5 reporting years on average 1511 pedestrians are injured in motor vehicle crashes.  During the same reporting period on average there were 82 pedestrians killed each year as result of a motor vehicle collision.  Most of the injuries occur with children under 15 and over 20.  From the age of 16-20 they tend to be much safer.

Everyone has a role...Parents, supervise & educate your children.  Drivers, watch for children & pedestrians.  Children, stay alert & watch for vehicles.  Pedestrians, look left, right and left again.

Tips for Children

Children typically, can't judge speed or distance, are shorter than the parked vehicles, and often are not thinking about traffic safety.  Therefore, parents have to accept responsibility and ensure the crosswalk is safe to enter. 

HOW?

• Maintain physical contact with the child.  Hold their hand and act as their eyes.
• Stop and announce that you are looking to make sure it's safe to enter.  Look to the left then right then left again.  Enter when safe.
• Enter as a family.
• Discuss the importance of waiting.
• Always wait for the light when available.

Tips for Adults

• When walking, wear light or bright colors so motorists can see you and walk against the flow of traffic.
• Make sure to use crosswalks whenever they are available.
• Remember, when crossing a street, look left, look right and look left again.  Only cross when safe.
• When walking at night, reflective clothing, bands, vests, and flashlights make you more visible to motorists.
• Dusk and dawn are the most dangerous times of the day for pedestrians.  If walking or jogging, make sure you travel against the traffic and remember to wear reflective clothing.
• Drinking and walking can be as dangerous as drinking and driving.  An intoxicated pedestrian may not be totally aware of his/her surroundings.

Tips for Drivers

• Pay attention as you approach a crosswalk.  Look for children, adults, and persons with disabilities.
• Children may not see you as they can be distracted easily.
• Adults may be pre-occupied with conversation, phones, reading or other distractions.
• Look for persons with disabilities...walkers, canes, service dogs, and wheelchairs, are among the signs telling you about their disability.  Give them a bit more time to cross.

§ 46.2-924 of the Code of Virginia outlines the responsibilities related to crosswalks.  The following excerpts will summarize key elements of the Code.

The driver of any vehicle on a highway shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian crossing such highway:...At any clearly marked crosswalk, whether at mid-block or at the end of any block...No pedestrian shall enter or cross an intersection in disregard of approaching traffic.

Together we can keep Halifax safe!

Town of Halifax Annual Fall Clean-Up 2015

The Town of Halifax Solid Waste Department will conduct its annual free fall clean-up for town residents and businesses by appointment only on Friday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 24th.  This service will be subject to the following conditions:

1)  Residents and businesses are required to call the Halifax Town Hall (434-476-2343) for notification to remove discarded household/business items and yard debris too large for regular trash pick-up and must give their name, telephone number and physical address (notification for sign-up must be made prior to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, October 21st).

2)  Only household/business items that can be lifted by two grown men will be accepted, and no caustic solvents, toxic or hazardous materials or petroleum based liquids will be permitted.

3)  Tree limbs and brush must be cut in lengths no greater than 4 feet and neatly piled by participant along with qualifying household/business items near the curbside of the property or customary pick up site to be easily visible and accessible from the road by Town Solid Waste personnel.

4)  Town employees will not be responsible for cutting or removing tree trunks or tree limbs with a diameter of 4 inches or greater.

5)  The Solid Waste Supervisor will not be required to remove the qualifying material mentioned above if resident or business owner has failed to notify the Halifax Town Hall to schedule a pick-up.

Community Clock Project - It's Time to Purchase a Paver

As part of ongoing revitalization efforts, a vintage-style clock acquired by the Halifax Village Association (HVA) is to be placed in front of the Halifax Marketplace at 209 South Main Street.  The clock and surrounding plaza will be a wonderful new focal point on Main Street for the town, and will eventually serve as a multifunctional gathering spot.

Support the Halifax Village Association's efforts to construct this new centerpiece in historic downtown Halifax and become part of history by purchasing your paver to be placed in the Community Clock Plaza.  Two sizes are available for purchase. 

4" x  8" engraved paver for $100 (up to 3 lines with 18 to 20 characters per line).

8" x  8" engraved paver for $200 (up to 6 lines with 18 to 20 characters per line).

Paver samples, order forms & brochures will be available during Halifest on October, 26th from 9am to 4pm at the Halifax Village Association (HVA) booth

For more information contacty Marsha Hite, HVA President, at 434-476-2164 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Invitation For Bids - Banister Gateway Project

The Town of Halifax, Virginia requests sealed bids for construction of The Halifax Banister River Gateway, King's Bridge Landing just off of Rt. 360/Bethel Road at the Banister River.  The Base Bid of this contract consists of providing a wayside parking lot and walkway to the Banister River.  Improvements include demolition of existing asphalt, clearing and grubbing, erosion and sediment control measures, grading and excavation, new asphalt and stabilized turf, lighting, crushed stone walkway signage, concrete paving, lighting, storm drainage, and planting.

This project is funded by TEA-21/MAP-21 funds through VDOT.  All State and Federal compliance requirements must be met, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) requirements.

Sealed bids will be opened at 2:00 PM, on Thursday, November 7th  in the Town office building located at Halifax Town Office, 70 South Main Street, Halifax, VA  24558.

There will be a project orientation meeting on Thursday, October 24th, at 2:00 p.m. at the Town Office building, located at 70 South Main Street, Halifax.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the scope of the project, how to meet DBE requirements and an optional walk-through and discussion of project area.  However, staff is available to answer questions prior to and after the meeting.

To receive access to digital plans and specifications, please contact:

Greg Webster at Hill Studio, Tel:  540-342-5263

For additional questions or to discuss aspects of requirements of the project, please contact Greg Webster, Hill Studios, Tel:  540-342-5263

Carl Espy, Tel:  434-476-2343

Phyllis Brice, VDOT (DBE assistance) Tel:  434-856-8170

Anthony Revelle, VDOT Project Manager, Tel:  434-856-8297