Anyone who has tried to get around Arlington by bike, car or foot knows that the county’s traffic can be frustrating and, at times, downright scary. In a densely packed community with thousands of residents and commuters, collisions are a regular occurrence. Arlington County Police reported 2,711 collisions in 2016.
To make our roads safer, county police are implementing a number of measures, including analyzing accident data and complaints about certain intersections and sending officers to those locations; and teaching motorists and bicyclists about bike safety on busy roads. The ACPD is also restoring a rush-hour police detail in Rosslyn – a major crossing point from Virginia into the District where construction projects are in full swing and GPS directions aren’t always reliable, says Lt. Steve Meincke, a supervisor in the force’s special operations section. Police report that there were no bicycle, vehicle or pedestrian deaths on Arlington streets last year, but they still urge caution.
Below are the intersections with the largest number of accidents reported to Arlington County police in 2016. To learn more about pedestrian and bike safety in Arlington, read this 2014 story from Arlington Magazine. For more on police efforts to ensure transportation safety, read the agency’s annual report.
#10 Lee Highway and Spout Run Parkway
Drivers are exiting the George Washington Parkway to enter Arlington, leaving Arlington to head to the District or points west, or heading to local businesses and residences right off of Spout Run – all of which make the area prone to traffic troubles.
Accidents in 2016: 16
#9: Columbia Pike and Washington Boulevard
A lot is going on in this area: Commuters heading to the Pentagon; vehicles merging onto Interstate 395 going south. “Cars are needing to go right or left, and they’re all trying to play nice with each other,” Meincke says.
Accidents in 2016: 17
#8: Lee Highway and N. Lynn Street
Rosslyn’s streets weren’t built to handle the rush-hour traffic of today, Meincke says. As such, this gateway to the District (particularly via Key Bridge into Georgetown) can be difficult to maneuver for residents, commuters and visitors staying in nearby hotels. “If you’re from out of the area, you may be a little confused,” he says, which leads to accidents.
Accidents in 2016: 17
#7: Four Mile Run Drive and S. George Mason Drive
George Mason Drive, one of the county’s major arterials, is near the popular W&OD bike trail, which adds pedestrians and bike traffic to the equation. There is also a service road, which means there are two sets of lights to keep track of at that intersection.
Accidents in 2016: 18
#6: Fairfax Drive and N. Glebe Road
At this main access point to the Ballston Metro and Route 66, “people are in a rush and aren’t paying attention,” Meincke says. In addition, a series of construction projects, some with restricted sidewalk access, are a distraction for drivers and difficult for pedestrians to maneuver around.
Accidents in 2016: 19
#5: Fort Myer Drive and Lee Highway
This major thoroughfare near the Key Bridge in Rosslyn (just one block north of hot spot #8 on this list) is an entry point to the District that dovetails with the Custis Trail, meaning lots of cars, bikes and pedestrians are converging.
Accidents in 2016: 20
#4: Four Mile Run Drive and S. Walter Reed Drive
As one of the main cut-through streets to reach Interstate 395, this is one of the county’s busiest intersections, Meincke says. It’s also near one of Arlington’s few light industrial areas, which means truck traffic is heavier. Bicyclists and pedestrians using the W&OD and Four Mile Run trails add to the mix.
Accidents in 2016: 21
#3: Walter Reed Drive and S. Washington Boulevard
There’s a stop sign on South Walter Reed Drive, Meincke says, and drivers looking for a gap to enter the traffic onto Washington Boulevard are often rear-ended.
Accidents in 2016: 22
#2: Army Navy Drive and S. Hayes Street
Lots of things are going on at this intersection near the Pentagon, Meincke says: Motorists use lanes other than the left-turn-only lane on Hayes Street to turn onto Army Navy Drive, and commuters are coming off Interstate 395 heading to Crystal City.
Accidents in 2016: 28
#1: Route 50 (Arlington Boulevard) and N. Washington Boulevard
Cars heading west on Washington Boulevard trying to take the ramp to Route 50 have no place to merge. Most accidents occur when one car at the top of the ramp tries to head into westbound Route 50 traffic, then stops and is rear-ended by the car behind, Meincke says.
Accidents in 2016: 37
