More Georgia pedestrians died in accidents with cars last year – 182 people statewide – than in any other year since 1997.
It was the second straight year of rising pedestrian deaths in the state, even as the total number of pedestrian crashes dropped. Already this year, 67 pedestrians have been killed, a 12 percent increase for the same period in 2013.
Many of the deadly crashes occur in metro Atlanta, where multi-lane roads choked with cars — many of them going too fast — often lack sidewalks and safe crossing areas for those traveling on foot.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution begins a two-day report on Sunday that examines the problem and efforts to improve pedestrian safety. Subscribers may read the articles in the paper or on myajc.com.
A national study out this month by Smart Growth America identified Atlanta as the eighth most dangerous large metro area in America for pedestrians. It said 839 pedestrians died in the metropolitan area from 2003 to 2012.
As part of its research, the AJC asked the Georgia Department of Transportation for data on some of the worst roads in Atlanta for pedestrian crashes. Here’s the Top 10 in terms of frequency of crashes dating back to 2003. (Note that the state could not provide the actual locations of accidents, only the roads on which they occurred.)
Rank County Route Crashes
1 FULTON PEACHTREE ST 178
2 DEKALB BUFORD HWY 154
3 FULTON ROSWELL RD 129
4 FULTON PEACHTREE RD 123
5 FULTON MARTIN L KING JR DR 104
6 DEKALB MEMORIAL DR 92
7 DEKALB COVINGTON HWY 84
8 FULTON N AVE 82
9 CLAYTON SR 3 81
10 FULTON OLD NATIONAL HWY 77
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