PEDS Blog: April, 2010

Many multi-lane roads in metro Atlanta lack safe crossings to bus stops.  Roads like Buford Highway, Memorial Drive, Singleton Road, Roswell Road, Tara Boulevard and others simply lack crosswalks or traffic lights where folks can cross to or from a bus stop.  People have no option but to risk their lives crossing wherever and however they can.  See for yourself.

Recent data from the ARC shows that 48% of all pedestrian crashes in metro Atlanta occur within 300 feet of a bus stop.  One in four pedestrian crashes is within 100 feet of a bus stop.  PEDS is demanding solutions. On April 20 PEDS gathered 29 representatives of transportation agencies to discuss — and experience — the lack of safe crossings to bus stops on multi-lane roads. We had everyone cross Roswell Road to see for themselves how hazardous it can be. Take a look.

When a pedestrian is hit by a car, you’ll often hear or read “the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk.” Period. Television and newspaper reporters love that phrase: “The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk.” It leaves you thinking the pedestrian was an idiot. Rarely does the reporter ask “What crosswalk?”

That’s why we’re so pleased with today’s article by AJC reporter Ralph Ellis (Hit-run suspect faced similar charges in 1997). Ralph’s article on this deadly pedestrian crash identifies the location of the incident, but then includes this: “There’s no traffic signal or crosswalk at that spot. The nearest crosswalk is half a mile in either direction.”

Fact is, many roads in metro Atlanta lack crosswalks over huge distances.  Bus riders and local residents have to take their chances crossing 5 to 7 lanes of heavy traffic on a daily basis.  So the next time you see a reporter say a pedestrian was not in a crosswalk when hit, ask yourself “What crosswalk?”  Excellent work, Ralph Ellis!