Breakfast links: A new driver’s ed campaign aims to reduce road deaths
Image by Mike Maguire licensed under Creative Commons.
Fairfax County launches a driving awareness program to curb road deaths
The Street Smart campaign combines advertising and education on safe driving with enforcement to stop more deaths on the road. It launched in Fairfax, where the number of pedestrian deaths is higher than the murder rate. (Kristi King / WTOP)
Parking enforcement by tire chalking was ruled unconstitutional
A federal appeals court in Ohio ruled that the practice of making a small chalk mark on a car tire to track if the car has moved in a time-limited parking zone amounts to a physical trespass and violates the 4th amendment. (Fred Barbash / Post)
Some exceptions could be granted to the MoCo building freeze
Two county councilmembers proposed exceptions to the development moratorium surrounding crowded public schools. The carveout would permit buildings that house fewer than 10 new students, as long as the building is at least half affordable units, or is replacing blighted property. (Nena Perry-Brown / Urban Turf)
A new plan for Viers Mill road will lower speed limits and increase affordable housing
The Montgomery County Council passed the Viers Mill master plan, which will lower the speed limit on stretches of the corridor, promote public transit, add a trail overpass, and encourage more affordable units in two apartment buildings on the street. (Dan Schere / Bethesda Beat)
A property tax increase in Arlington will fund county schools
The County Board voted to increase property taxes by two cents to direct more money to the county school system, which currently gets 47% of Arlington's tax revenue. While the county expects revenue to increase when Amazon arrives, this year there are still high commercial vacancies. (Patricia Sullivan / Post)
Kids in Mongomery County could ride the bus for free
County Councilmember Evan Glass proposed extending an existing program that gives students under 18 free weekday afternoon trips on Ride On buses and offer free rides all week. The county estimates the program will cost $1 million annually. (Dan Schere / Bethesda Beat)
New protocols aim to speed up DC rental housing inspections
DCRA is updating some of its rental inspection practices in May to check properties faster and get more of them brought up to code. DCRA has also promised a digital map of housing infractions available online. (Andrew Giambrone / Curbed)
Some DC residents with chronic illnesses will get free produce at the store
A pilot program at the Giant on Alabama Avenue SE will let patients with certain chronic illnesses that can be managed through diet exchange their prescription for produce vouchers. The store will also have nutritionists available for consultation (Laura Hayes / City Paper)
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