Fairfax County Police are telling Reston-area drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to adjust their habits as fall's shorter days push more commutes into darkness.

The department published a seasonal safety advisory on Tuesday, Sept. 22, the autumnal equinox, with specific tips for each group sharing the road. The core message: turn on headlights before full dark, wear reflective gear when walking, and use lights on bikes and scooters.

The timing matters. The advisory comes weeks after a Sept. 1 crash near South Lakes High School in which a driver struck a 16-year-old student walking to school around 7:54 a.m. The teen was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The driver was cited for failing to stop before entering a highway, FFXnow reported.

South Lakes parent Roberto De Moraes flagged the risk in late August. "There are a lot of kids crossing because there's a city bus stop across the street," De Moraes told the Fairfax County Times on Aug. 28, adding that shorter days would raise the danger further.

The FCPD advisory also encourages residents to register home security cameras with Connect Fairfax County, a free program launched in January 2025. Once a camera is registered, police know its location and can contact the owner if a crime or suspicious activity occurs nearby.

In August 2026, detectives used the camera network and the county's Real Time Crime Center to identify a stabbing suspect in Hybla Valley while officers were still on scene, according to the Fairfax County Times.

The advisory follows the department's Sept. 14 launch of "Operation Safe Right Turn," a focused enforcement effort targeting drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

For drivers, the department said headlights help others see you and give you more time to react. Pedestrians should wear light-colored or reflective clothing, carry a flashlight and make eye contact with drivers before stepping into a crosswalk. Cyclists and scooter riders should use lights, obey signals and stay alert for turning vehicles.

Residents can reach the FCPD Reston District Station at 2235 Soapstone Dr. for non-emergency matters at 703-691-2131 (TTY 711). Anonymous tips can be texted by sending TIP187 plus a message to CRIMES (274637).