ATLANTA — One part of metro Atlanta ranks high in a new survey – but it’s not for a good thing. It is one of the deadliest places for pedestrians.
The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta area is 19th on a list compiled by Smart Growth America.
The study looked at numbers from the last decade, ending in 2019 just before the pandemic, and found the number of people hit and killed while walking.
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It has increased by 45 percent nationwide.
It lists the Atlanta metro, specifically including cities in North Fulton of Sandy Springs and Alpharetta as the 19th most dangerous for walking.
Breaking it down by age, older Americans are more likely victims. When looked at by race, Black Americans have an 82 percent higher chance than whites of getting hit and killed by drivers.
The death rate for people walking in lower income communities was twice that in middle income areas.
In 2018, a then-member of the Alpharetta City Council urged local leaders to take a closer look at safety after an SUV driver hit-and-killed Ramona Devore as she crossed the street after getting off the bus.
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“That was a tragic accident and we hate to hear that,” said Chris Owens. “We can always do better to keep pedestrians safe.”
Owens proposed more signalized crosswalks, including at MARTA stops.
“The initial thought was to look at those areas with highest pedestrian activity to see what we can do to make the intersections safer,” Owens said.
The Georgia Department of Transportation will start a push next week reminding people to stay in their cars after a crash.
GDOT officials said they see deaths go up after daylight savings kicks in, which happens this weekend.
Cox Media Group
