Senate committee forms study on vulnerable roadway users after survivor testimony

The Senate Public Safety Committee unanimously approved Senate Resolution 216 to create a study committee to review laws affecting "vulnerable roadway users," a category the sponsor defined to include pedestrians and others not traveling in motor vehicles.

Sponsor Senator Parent said Georgia has a high number of traffic fatalities involving non-vehicle users and urged further study. “I think it's good to continue some of the progress we've made earlier talking about this,” Parent said.

Veronica Watts, who testified as a survivor of a 2024 crash on North Avenue, told the committee she sustained serious injuries and described three priorities: infrastructure changes at dangerous crossings, more accurate crash reporting, and updates to the Traffic Violations Bureau. “In February of 2024, I was hit by a vehicle while crossing North Avenue… I spent almost five days in the ICU,” Watts said. She described the crash scene, gaps in the crash report that left the ambulance destination field blank and a $265 fine issued to the driver for failure to yield. Watts said the driver had prior offenses and that delays and backlog in courts could limit accountability.

The committee chair called for the president of the Senate to name members to the study committee in accordance with the resolution. Senator Wicks moved passage and Senator Jones seconded; the committee approved the resolution by voice vote and the chair reported unanimous support.

The sponsor and witnesses urged the study committee to review infrastructure, reporting and enforcement tools to reduce serious injuries and fatalities among pedestrians and other vulnerable roadway users.