As a resident of Midtown, Atlanta, I use the crosswalk at Piedmont Ave NE and 11th St NE every day. The current design of this crosswalk is dangerous - drivers coming down Piedmont cannot see it clearly, often ignoring it completely.

Drivers turning left onto Piedmont from 11th Street must monitor the crosswalk to their left, while also trying to monitor the one-way traffic coming down Piedmont to their right. If the crosswalk was moved to the other side of 11th, the drivers would be able to watch traffic without having to worry about pedestrians since the driver would not be crossing through the crosswalk when pulling out onto Piedmont.

I have had numerous close calls with speeding cars coming down Piedmont, as have many others trying to cross the street safely.  By moving the crosswalk to the other side of 11th St. NE and adding signs and flashing lights, traffic coming down Piedmont would not only be able to see the crosswalk, but they would see it earlier, before the curve in Piedmont that currently makes the location of the crosswalk hard to see before already crossing through it.

This is not just a pedestrian crossing; it's a lifeline for our community, especially during events in Piedmont Park.

The situation is dire and requires immediate attention. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2021 - 7,388 pedestrians were killed – a 13% increase from 2020 – and more than 60,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide. We do not want our neighborhood to contribute to these alarming statistics.

We are calling on local authorities to relocate this crosswalk to the other side of 11th Street NE where visibility will be improved for oncoming traffic. Furthermore, we demand new signage and lighting be installed around this relocated crosswalk so that pedestrians can safely navigate their way across busy streets without fear.

This isn't just about convenience; it's about safety - our safety! We deserve better than what we currently have. Please join us in urging local officials to make these necessary changes now before another near-miss becomes an actual tragedy. Sign this petition today!