Dunwoody Ordinance Would Protect Bicyclists And Pedestrians More Than Anywhere In Georgia

A new ordinance in one metro Atlanta community would go further to protect bicyclists and pedestrians more than anywhere else in the state.

The Dunwoody City Council will consider the legislation Monday.

GPB's Saliby reports on a new ordinance in Dunwoody that would protect vulnerable road users.

The ordinance protects "vulnerable road users," basically anyone who’s not driving a car or truck on the road, including those operating skateboards and mopeds.

Trucks and commercial vehicles will have to trail them by 6 feet instead of the state-mandated 3 feet, and drivers will be penalized for aggressive behavior. 

But it also gives drivers an affirmative defense if a non-car user is not following road safety rules or in the right lane.

Dunwoody City Councilmember Tom Lambert said two recent serious accidents in the city prompted him to act.

"Every ordinance that I researched, the ordinance was adopted in that particular location, city or state, in response to a fatality," he said. "I don’t want to wait until someone dies to put these safety measures in place."

Any violation of the measure could mean up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.

The city council will most likely vote on the ordinance in two weeks during its second reading.