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Busted: False sense of security created by Atlanta's sidewalk ordinance
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Atlanta's sidewalk ordinance assigns financial responsibility for repairing broken sidewalks to abutting property owners. For decades, City officials incorrectly assumed this ordinance protected the City from liability claims if a sidewalk defect contributed to a pedestrian injury. Council members and others thought the property owner would instead be liable.
 Yet during the past two years, jury decisions and settlements with injured pedestrians cost the city over $4.1 million. Financial responsibility for sidewalk repairs is not the same thing as legal liability for injuries. The recent payouts to injured pedestrians have increased momentum for policy change. With your help, PEDS will convince the Atlanta City Council to replace the current sidewalk ordinance and identify sufficient funding to address the entire $152 million backlog of broken sidewalks, curbs and missing or broken curb ramps within 20 years. Continue reading...
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| Council members support funding sidewalk repairs, but not ready to commit |
Thanks are due to all who attended PEDS' recent forum. The size and diversity of the audience made a compelling case that broken sidewalks affect people from all parts of Atlanta.
Participating council members agreed sidewalk maintenance is a municipal service that the City of Atlanta should provide. None, however, were ready to commit to introducing legislation reforming the City's sidewalk ordinance or calling for a bond referendum. We'll post a recording of the forum online as soon as we receive it.
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Public Works Commissioner Richard Mendoza responds to question from Sally Flocks as Councilmembers Kwanza Hall, Aaron Watson, and Michael Julian Bond (l. to r.) observe . Photo: Bruce Morton, City of Atlanta
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Council Chairman Ceasar Mitchell and Councilmembers Kwanza Hall and Michael Bond wanted more time for the City Council to consider funding and policy options. Councilmember Natalyn Archibong reminded forum attendees of a sidewalk task force that will meet for the first time in September. In response to a question from PEDS CEO Sally Flocks, Bond conceded the City budget for claims exceeds the budget for sidewalk maintenance. "An ounce of prevention beats a pound of [settlement] money," Bond advised. "If people are willing to pay for it," Bond promised, "then it will be done. " | | Sally Flocks presents a framed section of PEDS' footprint petition to Public Works Commissioner Richard Mendoza following forum, as Councilmember Kwanza Hall, Council President Ceasar Mitchell, and Council member Michael Bond join them to show support for solving Atlanta's sidewalk maintenance problem. |
The current sidewalk ordinance is unfair to property owners and to pedestrians. Please let your council representatives know you think sidewalk repair costs should be shared by all Atlanta residents.
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Clueless at the crosswalk: Atlanta police ticket 37 drivers in 2 hours
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"A little hazy," "a little unclear," "I wasn't aware of the situation." Comments from perplexed drivers ticketed for violating crosswalk laws at last month's "crosswalk stings" confirm that motorists need education about safely sharing streets with pedestrians. PEDS organized the stings with the Atlanta Police Community Oriented Policing and Special Operations sections. The Atlanta Journal Constitution, WSB Channel 2 Action News, CBS Atlanta, and 11 Alive spread the message to a wider audience.  | | Police pull over crosswalk violators on West Peachtree. Photo: John Spinks, Atlanta Journal-Constitution |
The stings took place at West Peachtree Street and North Avenue (pictured above), and the intersection of Lee Street and Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard. Both intersections are at MARTA rail stations. Pedestrians there are often at risk from ill-informed or aggressive drivers, who are often distracted and in a hurry.
Police passed out flyers to violators. Created by PEDS, the handouts explain crosswalk laws. They also remind drivers to look for pedestrians, not just a gap in traffic, when turning. "Some of them are just not sure of what they are supposed to do", stated one Atlanta police officer at the event. Crosswalk stings help address this problem. With collaboration from media, the message is broadcast loud and clear. That's why PEDS, supported by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety and local law enforcement, coordinates these operations several times a year.
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Reminder: July 31 Regional Transportation Referendum
|  The transportation tax referendum is just eight days away. On July 31, citizens in metro Atlanta have an opportunity to vote on a one cent regional sales tax that would raise over $7 billion to fund regional and local transportation projects.
Check out the interactive map, project fact sheets, and information on local projects to learn more about the projects that would be funded if voters approve this tax. And be sure to vote. |
 Help make metro Atlanta walkable!
  
PEDS is a member-based advocacy group dedicated to making metro Atlanta safe and accessible for all pedestrians. 404-685-8722 peds.org
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