If a group of Atlanta Council members has its way, motorists will no longer be able to make a right turn when they are at a red light. The move is linked to concerns about the risk of car accidents involving pedestrians.
The so- called Right on Red laws were enacted across the country back in the 1970s in the midst of a fuel crisis. The law allows motorists the right to make a right turn at a red light, provided they stop first and it is safe to turn. However, authorities found out very quickly after the laws were passed, that while the laws did not really do much to increase fuel efficiency, they did increase the risk of car accidents involving pedestrians when drivers made right turns at red lights. Even back in the 1970s, officials found that there was a higher risk of auto accidents involving pedestrians in these areas.
Recently, however, there have been efforts across the country to get these laws repealed or banned. According to transportation safety experts, these laws do contribute to large numbers of car accidents every year involving pedestrians, and many of these auto accidents result in catastrophic personal injuries to the pedestrians. Now, a group of three Atlanta Council members also has proposed a ban on such right turns at red lights in certain areas in the city. The three Council members are proposing a ban on these actions in Midtown, Downtown and Castleberry Hill. These are busy areas that are chock full of entertainment venues and cultural attractions, and see large volumes of pedestrian traffic. According to the Council members, it is important to keep these areas thriving, and that can happen only when the laws make it safe for pedestrians to walk in these neighborhoods.
The Governor’s Highway Safety Association estimates that pedestrian accident fatalities are at their highest in 40 years. An increase in the number of pedestrian accidents has contributed to an increase in the overall tally of car accident deaths across the country over the past 3 years. There are several reasons that can be attributed to the increasing number of auto accident deaths involving pedestrians. For instance, there has been an increase in speeding by motorists which has meant dangerous conditions for pedestrians. Additionally, laws like the Right on Red laws make driving convenient and easier for motorists while increasing dangers for pedestrians in the area.
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons who have suffered injuries in auto accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your legal options. You may qualify for compensation that includes medical expenses, lost income and other types of economic as well as non-economic damages. Talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your case. Initial consultations are free.