The Pedestrian Safety Review Board (PSRB) was awarded a $18,200 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to continue its On the Move campaign from October 2021 through September 2022. On the Move is an informational, educational, and training program designed 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.
“With this grant and the support of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, we can continue to focus our efforts to provide people with good information and supporting supplies,” says Charise Stephens, Director of Small Business Affairs. “We must continue going directly to people in the areas 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 more armbands and marketing materials to hand out to people in areas where there are a high number of collisions or areas that could be considered dangerous for pedestrians. They will also be able to provide training and opportunities for pedestrian safety advocates.
“We are making pedestrian safety a priority in our community by working together, reaching out to people, and finding ways to make the roads safer,” says Macon-Bibb Commissioner Elaine Lucas.
“With the increase in the number of persons killed in traffic crashes in Georgia and across the nation over the last year, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is working with partners like Macon-Bibb’s Pedestrian Safety Review Board to implement programs designed to stop the risky driving behaviors that are contributing to a majority of our serious-injury and fatality crashes,” Allen Poole, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety said. “Many of the fatal traffic crashes on our roads are preventable, and we will continue to work with our educational and enforcement partners to develop programs and initiatives that are designed to get Georgia to our goal of zero traffic deaths.”
This past year, grant funds allowed the Board to take safety tips to senior citizens (through the Senior Center and churches), people in neighborhoods, people experiencing homelessness through Daybreak, and children at camps and events through the Recreation Department. There was also a series of events hosted in October as Pedestrian Safety Month that funds supported.
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, citizens, and community groups wanting to help with outreach efforts. For more information about the PSRB visit https://psrb.maconbibb.us.