Review board works to prevent pedestrian fatalities

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Pedestrian Fatality Review Board is working hard to make sure another person doesn’t lose his or her life when crossing the road.

So far, nine pedestrians have gotten hit by a vehicle and killed when crossing the road in Macon. The most recent one happened on Gray Highway earlier this month.

The Pedestrian Fatality Review Board is made up of Macon officials and citizens. Chairman, Michael Ryan, bicycles and walks through Macon so he knows the danger.

“It has gotten steadily less safe,” Ryan said.

The board meets every month to discuss ways to bring awareness to pedestrians and drivers.

“We’re not just trying to bring awareness,” Ryan said. “We’re trying to see safety enhancements actually implemented.”

One of those safety enhancements would be more crosswalks.  Daniel Thomas, who was killed crossing Gray Highway didn’t use a crosswalk. Board member Brad Belo believes it may be because there wasn’t a crosswalk close enough to Thomas. The nearest crosswalk was a quarter mile away.

“It was only 60 feet, 70 feet, to cross the roadway,” Belo said. “They’re busy roadways, dangerous roadways, 60, 70 feet to cross the roadways versus getting to the nearest crosswalk.”

Getting more crosswalks throughout Macon would be a decision the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) would have to make and fund. GDOT says they hear the board’s concerns and are planning to work with them to make roads safer.

Until enhancements are approved, the board is doing what they can to prevent pedestrian fatalities.
“This is in part building awareness with the hope that that awareness will lead to some improved behavior,” Ryan said.

The Pedestrian Fatality Review Board is working on launching their “Cross the Walk” campaign within the next couple of months. The public service announcement will encourage people to use crosswalks.