State, City of Albany partner to help pedestrians stay safe while crossing the road

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Between Dougherty County and Georgia altogether, there have been a number of pedestrian-related deaths in the past year. WALB’s Nathalie Moreau spoke to both county and statewide representatives that are working to help keep southwest Georgia a safer place.

“Pedestrian deaths have risen 14% in the state of Georgia, and we have a few tips to keep you safe on the road. Unfortunately, since the pandemic started two years ago, we’ve seen an increase, pretty much in all areas of traffic safety in terms of fatalities and pedestrians,” Robert Hydrick, Communications Director at the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Those numbers include Dougherty County as Commissioner John Howard explains.

John Howard – Albany City Commissioner(WALB)

“There have been several incidents in the last four years. A student at the school was killed walking to school that morning and so we worked in conjunction with the school board to make sure we tried to have a sidewalk by every school that was in the city,” said Howard, Albany City Commissioner.

Howard has been working to bring safer school routes for students.

“Kids that walk home from Isabella School and Turner School, that they will be walking on nice sidewalks and will not have to walk on the side of the road and get in mud they’ll be walking on a pristine sidewalk,” said Howard.

“I was informed this morning that within the next 60 days that we will see the ground being broken,” said Howard.

Hydrick says there are a few ways drivers can do to keep everyone safer including putting down the phone.

“Too many people are, you know, looking at their phone. Their phone will ping or they are trying to hear something and they are not paying full attention to the road,” said Hydrick.

Hydrick says pedestrians can also help make their walks across the street safer.

“It’s important for those who are walking at night to make sure that they are carrying a flashlight or something and wearing clothing that helps drivers see them at night,” said Hydrick.