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Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyers > Blog > Pedestrian Accidents > Report: Georgia Is Very Dangerous for Pedestrians

Report: Georgia Is Very Dangerous for Pedestrians

According to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association released this year, Georgia is ranked 16th in the nation for pedestrian deaths. It’s dangerous for pedestrians out there; an estimated 92 pedestrians were killed in a six-month period in early 2017.

The state is determined to curb the number of deaths by creating a pedestrian safety action plan. Corridors will be targeted for assessment, road safety audits will be conducted and the safety of school zones will be looked at.

Specifically, Atlanta has been under an increased amount of scrutiny because of a number of recent pedestrian accidents that have occurred in the city. A crossing guard was struck and killed while doing her job outside of a local middle school. Earlier in 2018, a woman was killed when she was hit while crossing a street in Decatur. There have been nearly 6,000 pedestrian deaths across the country in both 2016 and 2017. Something needs to be done.

Whether you are walking in Atlanta or driving, you need to be aware of pedestrian safety. A car versus pedestrian accident can be life-altering for all involved. Below are some tips to improve the safety of both pedestrians and drivers in Atlanta.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

If you are going to be walking along sidewalks or streets, there are plenty of things you can do to help keep yourself safe. Here are some ideas:

  1. Be mindful of what you are wearing. Light and bright colors make you more visible to drivers. Avoid dark colors, especially at night.

  2. If you are going to be walking in low light, put reflective tape on your clothes and carry a flashlight or a glow stick. These things will make you visible.

  3. Avoid walking close to obstructions like dumpsters and construction sites. Do not walk into an intersection from between objects like two parked cars.

  4. Cross intersections at marked crosswalks when you are given the right of way.

  5. Stick to the sidewalk when you can. If there is no sidewalk in the area you are, walk facing traffic so you can see what is coming toward you and get out of the way if you need to.

  6. Never assume that a driver sees you. Make eye contact with a driver before you cross a street or step out into the road. This is the only way you can be sure that a driver is aware of your presence.

  7. Don’t rely on signals that tell you to cross the road. Always look both ways before you cross. Just because you are being signaled that you may legally cross the street doesn’t mean that it is safe for you to do so.

  8. Don’t walk while distracted. This means that you shouldn’t be looking down at your cell phone or using it while you are walking. Keep your head up and your eyes open to any potential hazards you may encounter.

safety tips for pedestrians walking in atlanta

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Tips for Drivers

You don’t want to spend the rest of your life knowing that you hurt or killed someone in an avoidable accident. If you are driving, stay on the lookout for pedestrians. Here are some tips for drivers to help them avoid accidents with pedestrians:

  1. Always slow down at crosswalks. You may not have time to react if you decide to speed through one, and a pedestrian doesn’t see you coming. Slow down, look for pedestrians and then move on if it is safe to do so.

  2. Keep your eyes peeled when you encounter obstructions at the side of the road or are traveling through an area where cars park on the side of the street. A pedestrian could come out from between two objects faster than you have time to react.

  3. If a pedestrian is in a crosswalk at an intersection when the light turns green, remain patient and wait for the person to finish crossing the road before you proceed. Remember that pedestrians in crosswalks have the right of way. While they should walk with purpose, there is nothing to say that they have to run to the other side.

  4. Stay aware. Distracted driving is a problem across the country and is the cause of many accidents involving pedestrians. You shouldn’t be doing anything behind the wheel that takes your focus off the road ahead. Put down your cell phone, wait a few minutes to eat your lunch and put on your makeup before you leave your home. Your only job while you are driving is to drive.

Speak with an Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

The aftermath of a pedestrian versus car accident can be devastating for everyone involved. If you were injured in one of these pedestrian accidents in DeKalb County, it’s important to understand that you have legal rights to compensation.

Reach out to our office today to speak with a member of our experienced team. We will help you schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation and tell you more about your legal options. Call us today to discover more about your rights and the types of compensation you may be entitled to.

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