Deadly surge: 7 pedestrian fatalities in Cobb County prompt urgent safety measures

COBB COUNTY, Ga. - After Cobb County has seen seven fatal pedestrian crashes on its roads in the last month, Cobb County transportation leaders say they are working with police to address the safety issues.

Seven pedestrians have been killed on Cobb County roads in the last 30 days.

It is a deadly surge for the county right at the end of the year.

In a statement to FOX 5, the Cobb County Department of Transportation says it’s collaborating with local law enforcement.

"By focusing on both enforcement and infrastructure, we are making strides toward reducing pedestrian accidents," the statement reads.

"It's heartbreaking. It's not surprising that people keep losing their lives in these scenarios," said Samuel Foster, one of the leaders of A Better Cobb.

That group advocates for better pedestrian safety among other issues. 

Foster attributes the high death toll to road design and a growing population. 

He pointed this out to FOX 5 at a point on South Cobb Drive where a pedestrian was killed about two months ago. 

"The road is wide; it's straight. And that encourages somebody to go faster and faster, it’s kind of like a mini-interstate," he said. 

A "mini interstate" with no crosswalks for large stretches. 

"Would I rather walk 15 minutes down to the intersection [crosswalk] and then 15 minutes back, or would I rather cross the street in 2 minutes?" Foster said.

While FOX 5 was meeting with him on South Cobb Drive, the crew saw many pedestrians doing exactly that.

In the county’s statement, J.D. Lorens, deputy director of the Cobb County Department of Transportation, said they aim to address road design problems in their collaboration with law enforcement. "By addressing road design challenges and improving infrastructure, we aim to create safer, more accessible environments for all road users," he said.

Not all of the recent crashes happened on the wider, busier roads like South Cobb Drive or Austell Road.

Cobb DOT says that’s why it’s looking at the crash sites on a case-by-case basis. 

"As part of the collaboration, the Cobb DOT conducts site visits with local law enforcement officers to assess pedestrian crossings, lighting conditions, signage, and other critical safety features," the statement reads.

The County says it also welcomes feedback from the public on where and how it can improve pedestrian safety. 

You can do that by going to cobbcounty.org/transportation or by calling them at 770-528-1600 or emailing them at cobbdot@cobbcounty.org.