February 2022 events and advocacy opportunities

Update on national-level happenings: On January 27, 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation released the National Roadway Safety Strategy, which sets the first-ever national goal of zero roadway fatalities and commits to specific actions to advance the goal of safe mobility for all ages. Learn more from our partners at the Vision Zero Network.

Below are events and advocacy opportunities happening in February 2022.

DC Families for Safe Streets Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, February 15 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm via Zoom

Join us for our monthly meeting, with tentative agenda items about regional Vision Zero efforts, our stories initiative, and 2022 advocacy priorities.

FSS Cross-Country Support Community Meeting: Finding Meaning through Activism

Wednesday, February 16 from 7pm to 8:15pm via Zoom

Turning anger, frustration, and grief into action can both make our streets safer and serve as a “healing” tool. Join us for this interactive evening to hear from FSS members, gun violence activists, and others about how change-making has helped them find a path forward. Through personal stories, we will explore the nuances, challenges and rewards of this important work.

RSVP: transalt.org/FSSRSVP

ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITY: DDOT Performance Oversight Hearing

Friday, February 18 starting at noon

The DC Council holds annual performance oversight and budget hearings on District departments and agencies. For performance oversight, Councilmembers have an opportunity to question the agencies they oversee, while individuals and organizations can submit testimony to raise concerns/issues or even thank yous where agencies are doing things well. The budget hearings are also an opportunity for individuals and organizations to provide input on where they’d like to see resources go for agencies to carry out their work.

The Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment has scheduled DDOT’s performance oversight hearing for Friday, February 18. Testimony can be delivered live via Zoom (must register in advance), emailed as written testimony, or recorded as a voicemail. The official record closes 14 days after the hearing date.

Read more about these hearings and exact instructions on how to submit testimony. And please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or want to brainstorm about your testimony!

GWU Hospital: Virtual Trauma Survivors Group

Thursday, February 24 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm via Zoom

This virtual meeting hosted by the George Washington University Hospital is open to all trauma survivors, family members and loved ones. It is a space where people can connect with other people who have experienced similar circumstances.

UPCOMING ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITY: Council Hearing on Proposed Legislation

Monday, March 14 at beginning at noon; record closes on Monday, March 28

The Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment has scheduled a public hearing on two recently introduced bills: (1) Safe Routes to School Expansion Regulation Amendment Act (B24-565); and (2) Walk Without Worry Amendment Act (B24-566). The Safe Routes to School Expansion act proposes to improve traffic safety at every District school; read more from Councilmember Lewis George. And the Walk Without Worry act to standardize design and installation of raised crosswalks and intersections in DC; read more from Councilmember Nadeau.

Testimony can be delivered live via Zoom (must register in advance), emailed as written testimony, or recorded as a voicemail. The official record closes on Monday, March 28 at the end of the business day.

Read more about this public hearing and exact instructions on how to submit testimony. And please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or want to brainstorm about your testimony!