Pedestrian Bridge Notice

NOTICE:

The pedestrian bridge across the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks, located at the intersection of Remsburg Drive and Wall Street, will be closed until further notice. The stairs to the bridge were damaged on November 24, 2019 as a result of a motor vehicle accident. The Town will be evaluating the condition of the bridge and intends to reconstruct the damaged steps as time and funding allow. Thank you for your understanding and patience with this matter.

Vehicle v. Pedestrian 100 Block West Main Street

Abingdon Police Department

Contact:  Tenille Montgomery, Community Relations Coordinator                                     

Phone: 276-492-1557

Email:  tmontgomery@abingdon-va.gov

                                               

For Immediate Release

On Friday, December 13, 2019, at approximately 10:40 p.m., Abingdon Police were dispatched to the 100 block of West Main Street in reference to a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle.  Upon arrival, officers learned that there were several people in the crosswalk, and the cross indicators were flashing, when a 1999 Honda four-door, operated by Barbara M. Hockett, 86 YOA, of Damascus, Va., was traveling eastbound on West Main Street.  The vehicle failed to yield for the pedestrians in the crosswalk, causing them to take evasive action to avoid the vehicle. One of the pedestrians was struck by the Hockett vehicle and transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Ms. Hockett was charged with driving on a suspended license, in violation of § 46.2-301, and failure to yield for pedestrians, in violation of § 46.2-924 of the Virginia Code.

The Abingdon Police Department would like to remind pedestrians and motorists about roadway safety.

Pedestrians:

• Always cross at marked crosswalks. Drivers expect pedestrians at designated crossings, not in non-designated areas.  
• Be sure to activate the crosswalk button, if the crossing is equipped with one, and wait for your signal to cross.
• If a crosswalk is unavailable, be sure to find a well-lit spot on the road to cross and wait for a long enough gap in traffic to make it safely across the street.
• Stay on sidewalks whenever possible. If a sidewalk is not available, be sure to walk on the far side of the road facing traffic. This will help increase your visibility to drivers and afford pedestrians with the opportunity to take evasive actions if needed.
• Obey any pedestrian signs/signals and look left-right-left to make sure the road is clear in both directions before crossing.
• See and be seen.  Make eye contact with drivers of stopped or slowing vehicles to be sure they see you before you cross.
• Dress the part.  Avoid dark clothes, especially at night, which may blend with the streetscape.  Wearing white/bright colors will increase your chances of being seen.  
• Look before walking past stopped vehicles. Do not cross just because a driver waves you on. Be sure all lanes are clear first.
• Remember that vehicles are legally obligated to stop for pedestrians once you are in the crosswalk.  Do not infer that drivers have to stop simply because you are standing on the sidewalk waiting to cross.

Motorists:

• Expect pedestrians to appear where they are not supposed to. It is not uncommon for people to cross between cars or in areas that are most convenient for them.
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections.
• Be prepared to stop at all marked crosswalks. Stay alert and reduce speed in areas with crosswalks.
• Come to a complete stop if pedestrians are crossing or preparing to cross.
• When you are stopped at a crosswalk, allow enough room between your vehicle and the crosswalk so other drivers can see the pedestrians you have stopped for.
• Limit distractions while driving, such as eating, smoking, and using the cell phone.

APD Call Log December 2-9, 2019

R.A.D. Classes Offered at Coomes Center

The Abingdon Police Department is proud to be offering a certified women’s self-defense class starting January 2020. Classes will be held at the Harry L. Coomes Recreation Center and will be taught by Officer Richardson of the Abingdon Police Department.

If you are interested in attending this class, please contact the Coomes Center at 276-623-5279 to sign up. If you would like to learn more about the program we will be offering, visit http://www.rad-systems.com/.

Traffic Advisory for Abingdon Kiwanis Christmas Parade 2019

Abingdon Police Department

                                                

For Immediate RelEASE

Traffic Advisory for Abingdon Kiwanis Christmas Parade

The Abingdon Kiwanis Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, December 7th. The parade begins at 6:00 p.m. however, street closures will occur earlier to allow the parade to line up. 

Be alert for pedestrians and prepare for detours, delays, and officers directing traffic. 

If you are traveling through Abingdon, or plan to attend the parade, you are encouraged to leave early enough to ensure that you reach your destination on time. Above all, be prepared to wait. Traffic will be heavy and there will be a large number of pedestrians in the downtown area. 

Officers deployed for this event have certain priorities; specifically pedestrian safety and traffic flow. Please do not honk your horn or attempt to initiate conversation with officers directing traffic. Traffic will be too heavy for officers to answer questions from each passing car while avoiding traffic coming from the opposite direction. Yelling obscenities at the officers as you pass or drive away also does little good. No matter how you feel about the officer not letting you go the direction you want, screaming profanities out your car window will only attract negative attention. If you feel the need to yell, just yell Merry Christmas. Remember that the officers are in place for the safety of EVERYONE attending the parade, including themselves.  

Street closures will occur on the following schedule:

• East Main Street will be closed from Hutton Street to Court Street from 4:00 p.m. until the parade concludes. 
• Motorists needing access to this area of East Main Street should use exit 17 from Interstate 81 to access East Main Street. East Main Street from Court Street to Cummings Street will be closed to traffic at 5:45 p.m. to clear the parade route.
• Motorists needing to access the Barter Theatre, Barter Stage 2 or the Martha Washington Inn before 5:45 p.m. should plan to arrive before that time.
• West Main Street from Cummings Street to Route 19 will be closed to eastbound traffic at 5:45 p.m.
• Westbound traffic from Court Street to Route 19 will be allowed to use West Main Street until the parade approaches. 

The Code of Virginia addresses drivers who do not obey officers, ignore their signals, drive around barricades or use profanity in public:

§ 46.2-834. Signals by law-enforcement officers, crossing guards, and flaggers.

A. Law-enforcement officers may assume control of traffic at any intersection, regardless of whether such intersection is controlled by lights, controlled by other traffic control devices, or uncontrolled. Whenever any law-enforcement officer so assumes control of traffic, all drivers of vehicles shall obey his signals.

B. Law-enforcement officers and uniformed school crossing guards may assume control of traffic otherwise controlled by lights, and in such event, signals by such officers and uniformed crossing guards shall take precedence over such traffic control devices.

§ 46.2-852 Reckless driving; general rule.

Irrespective of the maximum speeds permitted by law, any person who drives a vehicle on any highway recklessly or at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person shall be guilty of reckless driving.

§ 18.2-388. Profane swearing and intoxication in public; penalty. 

If any person profanely curses or swears or is intoxicated in public, whether such intoxication results from alcohol, narcotic drug or other intoxicant or drug of whatever nature, he shall be deemed guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

Drive safely and have a great holiday experience in downtown Abingdon.