April is Distracted Driving Month

In recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, AAA has released its top 10 tips to avoid distractions while driving.

According to the most recent data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distractions were responsible for vehicle crashes leading to more than 3,000 deaths and 387,000 injuries in 2011.

Here are AAA's top 10 tips to avoid distractions while driving:*

1. Fully focus on driving and do not let anything divert your attention. Actively scan the road, use your mirrors and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists. 
2. Store loose gear, possessions and other distractions that could roll around in the car, so you do not feel tempted to reach for them on the floor or the seat. 
3. Make adjustments before your drive. Address vehicle systems like your GPS, seats, mirrors, climate controls and sound systems before hitting the road. Decide on your route and check traffic conditions ahead of time. 
4. Finish dressing and personal grooming at home – before you get on the road. 
5. Snack smart. If possible, eat meals or snacks before or after your trip, not while driving. On the road, avoid messy foods that can be difficult to manage. 
6. Secure children and pets before getting underway. If they need your attention, pull off the road safely to care for them. Reaching into the backseat can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. 
7. Don't use cell phones while driving – handheld or hands-free – except in absolute emergencies. Never use text messaging, email functions, video games or the Internet with a wireless device, including those built into the vehicle, while driving. 
8. If you have passengers, enlist their help so you can focus safely on driving. 
9. If another activity demands your attention, instead of trying to attempt it while driving, pull off the road and stop your vehicle in a safe place. To avoid temptation, power down or stow devices before heading out. 
10. As a general rule, if you cannot devote your full attention to driving because of some other activity, it's a distraction. Take care of it before or after your trip, not while behind the wheel.

* From WATE.com

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Watch for Bike Traffic Around W&OD Trail

The "Ride to Provide" bicycle charity ride takes place today. Please be alert to increased bicycle traffic until approximately 2 p.m. at the W&OD trail intersections within the town of Leesburg and surrounding areas. 

Possible Weekend Traffic Delays

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is advising residents of several events this weekend that may cause traffic delays in Loudoun County.  
 
On Saturday, a benefit cycling ride will travel from Ashburn to Leesburg and back on the Washington and Old Dominion trail.  Motorists who travel in the area of Ashburn Road, Belmont Ridge Road and Cochran Mill Road should be aware of an increased presence of cyclists crossing the road. Members of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Auxiliary Unit will be at each crossing location to assist. The event begins at 9:30 a.m.  
 
Also on Saturday, motorists may see increased traffic on Route 50 in the Middleburg area from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for an event held at the Glenwood Park Racecourse. 
 
Motorists are asked to please be patient, drive safely and follow all law-enforcement direction. 

 

Airports Authority Commits to Keep Toll Rates Constant for 5 Years

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) reiterated its intention to hold tolls on the Dulles Toll Road at their current rate through 2018.
 
The announcement, made at the Airports Authority's monthly board meeting on Wednesday, is the result of a concerted effort to reduce costs on the Silver Line Project, which is funded in part by tolls, and remains predicated on receipt of a low-interest federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan and the previous commitment of $300 million by the Commonwealth of Virginia to off-set toll increases.
 
At its meeting the board also authorized the issuance of $450 million Dulles Toll Road Revenue Refunding Bonds. If the TIFIA loan is approved, this round of bonds, which are guaranteed against future revenue generated by tolls on the Dulles Toll Road, would fund the remaining portion of the Dulles Toll Road share of the Silver Line Project.
 
Read more from the MWAA.

Possible Traffic Delays in Ashburn This Weekend

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is advising residents of several events that may cause weekend traffic delays in the Ashburn area.
 
On Saturday, bicycle sprint races will take place on Mercure Circle. Motorists can expect delays from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 
On Sunday, a half-marathon will begin and end at Stone Bridge High School. Runners will travel Claiborne Parkway, Waxpool Road, Farmwell Road, Ashburn Village Boulevard, Gloucester Parkway and the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. Motorists can expect delays from 6:30 to 11 a.m.
 
Motorists are asked to please be patient, drive safely and follow all law-enforcement direction.

 

Loudoun County Sobriety Checkpoint Tonight, Friday, April 11

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office will conduct a sobriety checkpoint tonight, Friday, April 11. The sobriety checkpoint will begin at 10 p.m.
 
"We want Loudoun County residents to make the smart choice -- don't drink and drive," said Loudoun County Sheriff Michael L. Chapman. "Through aggressive enforcement we hope to keep Loudoun's roads safe," he added.
 
Members of the Sheriff's Office Auxiliary Unit and volunteers from the Loudoun Chapter of MADD will assist with tonight's checkpoint.

 

Upcoming Community Meeting for Lexington Drive/ Riverside Parkway Extension

The Loudoun County Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure is holding a public information meeting on the Lexington Drive/Riverside Parkway extension to Loudoun County Parkway/George Washington Boulevard.  County staff seeks input and would like to hear your comments on the proposed alignment design. 
 
The meeting will be held Monday, April 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Exploration Hall at George Washington University, 20101 Academic Way in Ashburn. 
 
The proposed roadway extension is part of Loudoun County's Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP), to help mitigate congestion and improve safety along Route 7, and to help local traffic move through the area without having to travel on Route 7.    
 
Review of the proposed designs can be done at the public meeting, or by appointment after Monday, April 21, at the office of the Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure, on the first floor of 209 Gibson St. N.W. in Leesburg. If you have any questions, please contact the department at 703-737-8624, or by email at ots@loudoun.gov.   
 
In addition to written or verbal comments made at the community meeting, comments may be submitted by email to Bruce Thornberry or Chris Glassmoyer at ots@loudoun.gov or by regular mail sent to the Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure, 209 Gibson St. N.W., 1st Floor, MS #64, Leesburg, VA, 20177-7000. 
 
Comments may also be emailed to ots@loudoun.gov.  Reference "Lexington Drive/Riverside Parkway extension" in the subject line. 


 

Residents Encouraged to Lock Vehicles and Remove High-Dollar Items After Recent Thefts

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office reminds residents to remove high-dollar items and garage door openers from their vehicles when left unattended. In the past several days, vehicles in the Ashburn and Leesburg area were entered and were either rummaged through or items were taken.  

 

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is offering residents several tips for deterring thefts from vehicles:

• KEEP YOUR VEHICLE LOCKED. Most stolen items are taken from vehicles that are left unlocked. 
• Remove all items from your vehicle, including garage door openers, when not in use. When you cannot do this, put the items out of sight (inside a lockable glove box or trunk). If your vehicle has an integrated garage door opener, please try to park your vehicle in the garage. 
• A visible GPS unit is an obvious target, but car prowlers also look for any signs that one may be inside your vehicle, such as a mount on the window or dashboard. Even the circle impression left on the windshield from the suction cup mount is enough for thieves to break-in. They assume a GPS is hidden somewhere inside. Please try to rid your unattended vehicle of all tell-tale signs. 
• Park inside your garage, if available, and keep the garage locked. Or, try to park your vehicle near or under an illuminated area. 

 

Residents are also encouraged to register high-dollar items such as GPS units, tablets, laptops and MP3 players with the manufacturer and have the serial number available for the responding deputy if a theft occurs. This may assist with recovering the item in the event of a larceny. Find out more information about documenting your personal property at www.sheriff.loudoun.gov/operation-inventory.  

 

Anyone with information about the perpetrators of these crimes is asked to contact the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475. Residents are also encouraged to report any suspicious activity by calling 703-777-1021.  

 

Mobile DMV is Coming to Dulles South on Monday, April 7

The DMV 2 Go mobile customer service center will be at the Dulles South Public Safety Center on Monday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Dulles South Public Safety Center is located at 25216 Loudoun County Parkway in Chantilly. 
 
The mobile customer service center allows residents to apply for or renew your ID card (available for adults and children), apply for or renew your driver's license, update your DMV information,  obtain vehicle titles, license plates, decals, and transcripts, order disabled parking placards or plates and other services. 
 
DMV 2 Go is a fleet of five mobile customer service centers ready to bring DMV services to Virginians at convenient locations. For more information on this program and the services provided, visit www.dmvNOW.com.   


 

Become a Crossing Guard with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office currently has a number of openings countywide and for the 2014-2015 school year. The hours vary from school to school during the times of 7:20 a.m. and 8:35 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and 3:50 p.m. on weekdays during the school year.  
 
Over 13,000 children walk to school in the county and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office needs responsible and energetic people to become crossing guards to help the students cross busy streets safely. 
 
Some of the duties of a crossing guard include escorting children across busy crosswalks and/or intersections, monitoring the flow of traffic to ensure safe passage, and interacting with parents, school personnel, county employees and others.  
 
For more information, call Willy Stevenson at 703-771-5735 or obtain an application online at www.sheriff.loudoun.gov/careers.