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Atlanta simplifies crosswalks for pedestrians, unclear whether stupid drivers will obey.
The City of Atlanta has recently installed a High Intensity Activated Crosswalk, also known as a HAWK Beacon (picture below). The $120,000 system was installed on Buford Highway, an stretch of road known for pedestrian accidents.
Unlike an ordinary traffic signal, the HAWK beacon only lights up when activated by a pedestrian who wishes to cross. Generally, activation is by a push-button. The HAWK beacon first flashes yellow, then goes to steady yellow, and finally red over a period of several seconds. Conventional pedestrian signal heads at either end of the crosswalk are in “don’t walk” mode when the HAWK beacon is activated, going to “walk” mode when the HAWK beacon goes to steady red.
Buford Highway is shown on the map below:
Mark McKinnona DOT spokesman, says another device is planned for Candler Road in two weeks.
Pedestrian accidents happen all too frequently in Georgia. We are an Atlanta personal injury law firm and have represented clients who have been injured in pedestrain accidents. According to a recent CDC Motor Vehicle Injury study over $10 Billion per year is spent on injuries to pedestrians involved in accidents. Pedestrians have no protection when they are hit by vehicles. Often they are severely injured and make up 5 percent of all injuries but 10 percent of total costs of all injuries combined. The Georgia Department Of Transportation is hoping the new HAWK Beacons will help to reduce the number of pedestrian related incidents.
The total cost [of all accidents] exceeds $99 Billion dollars a year in medical care and productivity loss. Those two areas of account for the largest percentage of loss.
Pedestrian accients happen like this one in Porterdale, Georgia:
Teen injured when struck by pickup
A 14-year-old Covington boy sustained a head injury Friday evening after being struck by a vehicle as he jogged along Highway 81 south of Porterdale near Livingston Elementary School.
If you or someone you know is injured or killed in a pedestrian accident it is important to consider the expertise of an Atlanta personal injury lawyer. Get accident help in Atlanta, Georgia.


