DeKalb County has the highest pedestrian fatality rate in Georgia, and Buford Highway is the most dangerous road for pedestrians in our county.

Safe Communities of DeKalb County, a traffic safety program sponsored by the DeKalb County Board of Health and the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, is conducting a pedestrian safety awareness campaign along Buford through February 2002.

The campaign's goal is to increase awareness of pedestrian safety among both motorists and pedestrians.

As part of the four-month campaign, billboards are being placed along Buford Highway and area businesses are displaying posters.

According to Anastacia Espada Jacob, coordinator of Safe Communities, "Between 1996 and 1999, 109 pedestrians were killed along Buford Highway.

"Everyone should be aware that there is a problem and get involved in making changes," Jacob explained. "The more voices there are, the louder we become. This issue affects every Georgian who drives or walks on our streets," she said.

"We don't want people to let themselves or someone they love become a statistic," Jacob added.

The locations of the billboards will change during the campaign. The intersections include Buford Highway and Clairmont Road, Buford Highway and McElroy Road and Buford Highway near North Druid Hills Road.

Viacom Outdoor donated the billboards for the campaign.

Their representative Shilpa Patel explained, "Viacom believes very strongly in its role as a corporate citizen. Educating the thousands of people who travel Buford Highway everyday and hopefully saving lives is a very important and worthwhile cause.

"We felt very strongly about becoming involved in this campaign. Viacom participates in many national efforts, but when you are involved at the local grassroots level you really get to see the impact of your work," Patel said.

Safe Communities of DeKalb is also working with government and non-profit agencies to enhance the safety of pedestrians along Buford Highway.

"Our efforts have generated proposed construction that includes sidewalks, signalized crossings and pedestrian refuge islands. However, pedestrians as well as motorists must continue to take extra caution when driving or walking on this dangerous road," Jacob said.

Jean Murphy, director of the Chamble-Doraville Ministry Center said, "A lot more work needs to be done, for Buford Highway as well as the rest of DeKalb County. Safety should be important to everyone, regardless of age."

Safe Communities of DeKalb County is funded and supported by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the DeKalb County Board of Health. Other Safe Communities initiatives include pedestrian safety efforts at elementary schools and teenage seat belt campaigns.

For more information or to become involved, please contact Anastacia Espada Jacob at 404-294-3844 or by e-mail at info@dekalbhealth.net.

1/31/02