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Georgia House raises sidewalk speed for delivery robots, requires continuous audio for visually impaired; bill passes 164–3
Summary
The House passed HB 986 to adjust operation rules for personal delivery devices — increasing allowed sidewalk speed to 7 mph in some cases and requiring continuous sound to alert people with visual impairments; sponsors said the industry and state partners negotiated the changes; the measure passed 164–3.
The Georgia House on Feb. 11 approved House Bill 986, a measure that updates state rules for personal delivery devices (PDDs) — small wheeled robots that move on sidewalks and crosswalks — by raising certain speed limits and adding safety requirements for pedestrians with visual impairments.
Representative Todd Jones, who presented the bill, said the state has led policy development on these devices and that the changes strike a balance between safety and efficiency. "Many of us know them as the coolers with four wheels all around Atlanta," he said, and added that state and local partners — including Georgia DOT, the Georgia Municipal Association and ACCG — worked with industry to craft the update. Jones told members the change trims the maximum from what other states allow (10–12 mph) down to 7 mph in Georgia.
Representative Jasmine Clark pressed the sponsor on safety concerns, citing reports of PDDs colliding with people and noting the risk to people with visual impairments. "Is it safer if they're colliding at them at a faster speed?" she asked. Jones responded that the measure includes a new requirement for continuous audio signals so the devices produce sound consistently to warn people who are visually impaired rather than sounding only on approach.
Supporters said modestly higher crosswalk speeds will improve traffic flow in busy downtown and midtown corridors while the continuous-audio requirement aims to reduce harm to people with vision loss. Opponents raised safety questions at the podium but the sponsor said the bill was vetted by multiple stakeholders.
The House agreed to the committee report and voted to pass HB 986; the clerk announced the yeas as 164 and the nays as 3. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
The transcript shows the conversation and the vote occurred on the House floor during morning orders and the rules calendar; the sponsor repeatedly emphasized consultation with state and local partners and a decision not to match higher caps in other states.
