The Pedestrian Safety Review Board (PSRB) was awarded a $23,400 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to continue the On the Move campaign, an informational, educational, and training program for all people. Its ultimate goal is to reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities in the county by focusing on the role and responsibilities of pedestrians as they “move” from one location to another, with an emphasis on driver and passenger behaviors.

“Getting this grant will allow us to focus on specific areas with a blitz of information and resources,” says Charise Stephens with U Create Macon. “We have learned we must take the resources and information directly to the people where it is most needed. One accident prevention is worth all the efforts to make our streets safer.”

To do this, the PSRB will buy armbands and marketing materials to hand out to people in areas where there are a high number of collisions or could be considered dangerous roadways or intersections. They will also be able to provide training opportunities for pedestrian safety advocates. The success of the program will be judged on the number of people reached, policies and plans implemented, and accident reductions.

“As a community, we are making pedestrian safety a priority bringing together multiple partners and the public to find the best ways to improve road safety for everyone,” says Macon-Bibb Commissioner Elaine Lucas.

The PSRB includes citizens, AARP, the Bibb County School District, Macon-Bibb County Health Department, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning, the Engineering Department, Facilities Management Department, Bike Walk Macon, Georgia Wellness and Fitness Festival, U Create Macon, District 3 Commissioner Elaine Lucas, and community groups wanting to help with outreach efforts. For more information about the PSRB visit https://psrb.maconbibb.us.

The On the Move campaign is in addition to the Safety Board’s Cross the Walk campaign which began in 2016. This campaign focused on different pedestrian safety aspects and used billboards, presentations, outreach to student groups, bus wraps, mascots, PSAs, and more.