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Safety Tips for Georgia Pedestrians and Drivers

By Grant Law Office on May 16, 2011

More and more people are using active means of transportation, such as walking and bicycling, to go to work, visit friends, or go to the grocery store. Walking and bicycling are very good forms of exercise and help promote a healthy lifestyle, but they can also be dangerous. Crossing the street is often a necessity when walking to a destination and is also when most Georgia pedestrian accidents occur.

According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), there were 2,371 pedestrian accidents in 2008. These included a total of 1,881 Georgia pedestrian injuries and 140 fatalities. In 2009, the number of pedestrian fatalities increased to 150. To help prevent an increase in pedestrian injury and fatality numbers in coming years, Georgia pedestrians and motorists should consistently follow the below safety guidelines:

PEDESTRIANS	DRIVERS
Walk on the sidewalk or, in the absence of a sidewalk, as close as possible to the left side of the street, facing traffic.	Come to a complete stop at stop signs and red traffic signals, especially when making a turn on red.
Cross at a crosswalk and only at intersections or street corners. Always use painted crosswalks when available.	Stop before the sidewalk and look for pedestrians when pulling out of a driveway. When backing out, it is best to personally go onto the sidewalk and check for pedestrians before moving the car.
Stop before crossing the street and never run into the road.	Be especially cautious and attentive of children in school and park zones.
Obey and pay attention to all traffic signals before stepping onto the road.	Keep as close to the center of the road as is safe when there is no sidewalk.
Look both ways, in a left-right-left pattern before crossing any street and make sure traffic has come to a complete stop.	Look for pedestrians at intersections and street corners even if there is not a stop-sign or traffic signal.
Be aware of turning traffic, especially on a red light; try to make eye contact with the driver.	Make sure the car’s headlights are on at night.
Wear high visibility/bright colored clothing when walking at night.	Obey all traffic signals and speed limits.
Stop and look for approaching cars before crossing a driveway.

The above safety guidelines can help decrease the risk of Georgia pedestrian accidents, however not all accidents can be prevented. If you have been injured in a Georgia pedestrian injury accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. At The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., our experienced Atlanta crosswalk accident attorneys help injured victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. We will examine the details of your case and advise you on the best course of legal action. For a consultation, contact us at (404) 995-3955.