Breakfast links: Shoveling out news

Plowing priorities kill pedestrian

A 77-year-old man was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Anne Arundel County. Police say he was “walking in the roadway because plowed snow prevented him from using the sidewalk or the shoulder.” Will the state’s road safety head say it’s the pedestrian’s fault? (Baltimore Sun)

Throw a snowball, get throat cut

One Prince William County man threw a snowball at another, who was shoveling. A fight ensued, and the shoverler ended up slitting the snowball-thrower’s throat with a box cutter. (TBD)

During the snow…

Residents in small-scale walkable areas like Alexandria’s Del Ray bond at the local coffeeshop when a major storm disrupts everyday life (WAMU) … One driver recounts a hellish afternoon commute (WTOP) … Dupont Circle hosted another major snowball fight. (Borderstan)

Sarles explains snow service decision

WMATA chose to end Metrobus service during Wednesday night’s storm around 7pm when 70 buses were already stuck in snow, giving riders a 2.5 hour warning. Many riders’ commutes didn’t actually end at 9:30, though, some continuing for hours. (TBD)

Sarles official, finalizes contract

The WMATA Board officially appointed Richard Sarles as permanent General Manager and CEO yesterday, and are finalizing the contract under which he will be paid $350,000 a year. (WTOP) … It turns out WMATA had almost selected another candidate when Sarles asked to be considered. (WAMU)

Two very different House Republicans

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-San Diego), one of the new members of the House Transportation Committee, thinks building highways is in the Constitution but transit has to pay for itself. Meanwhile, another new member, Richard Hanna (R-Upstate NY) thinks Portland is doing some good things and even likes its growth boundary. (Streetsblog Capitol Hill)

Roads in urban areas safer

NHTSA data shows that urban roads are safer because traffic travels at lower speeds. Washington, DC has the least dangerous streets in terms of road deaths per 100,000 residents, with only 4.8 in 2009. (USA Today, Rob Pitingolo)  (Tip: Rob Pitingolo)

London neighborhood council “bans” cycling on path

The neighborhood council in Lambeth, London has placed “No Cycling” signs on a wide path on the south bank of the Thames, though by law cycling is actually allowed. A safety officer asked a woman to dismount her tricycle despite her limited mobility without it. (London Cycling)

And…

The Federal Protective Service has reminded officers that it really is legal to photograph the outsides of federal facilities (NYT) … Arlington’s central library in Ballston will be getting solar panels on its roof (TBD) … Matter-of-right zoning has overcome religious bigotry in California for an Islamic center. (Post) … Someone created a fake Twitter account for Mayor Vince Gray.