As Georgia pedestrian deaths rise, grant funds new safety campaign

As Georgia outpaces last year's number of pedestrian deaths, Macon is taking additional steps to keep people safe.

Friday at Government Center, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety awarded a $20,785 grant for the "On the Move" campaign.

GOHS Director Harris Blackwood said he is not aware of another community in the state that has been as proactive as Macon-Bibb County in trying to reduce pedestrian crashes and fatalities.

As of Friday morning, 1,454 people have died on Georgia roads this year, which is a slight reduction from 2016, but there were 20 more pedestrian fatalities compared to this time last year, Blackwood said.

"Sometimes cultural issues, sometimes education issues, sometimes just the attempt to get across the most convenient way results in people crossing these roads in places they shouldn't be crossing," he told those gathered at the Government Center for the grant presentation.

People all over Georgia have to rely on public transportation and their own two feet to get from place to place and he applauds the local effort to educate students and adults about safety practices.

Macon-Bibb Commissioner Elaine Lucas developed the Macon-Bibb Pedestrian Safety Review Board in response to an alarming rate of fatalities in recent years that made Macon the second-highest Georgia community per-capita for pedestrian deaths.

In early January, the board announced a new "Cross the Walk" campaign to educate people on the safest ways to cross the street.

Review board member Violet Poe, who spearheaded both campaigns, said the new grant will fund six training sessions at the Douglass Theatre beginning in February.

A Pedestrian Safety Awareness Community Day is planned and educational supplies such as reflective wristbands, placards and banners will be purchased with the money.

Bessie Brown, vice chairperson of the review board, reminded the attendees that cellphones and earbuds can be distractions for those walking and driving.

"Let's not just be educated, let us be doers, let us be innovators and let us educate others. That's the mission," Brown said.

Blackwood encouraged the community to develop pedestrian safety curriculum that could be used across the nation.

"We know this is not a one-year fix. This is just the start," he said.

Liz Fabian: 478-744-4303; @liz_lines

This story was originally published December 15, 2017 at 12:41 PM with the headline "As Georgia pedestrian deaths rise, grant funds new safety campaign."