WASHINGTON - The Surface Transportation Policy Project study released Thursday by the Washington-based group ranks Atlanta as the 12th most dangerous metropolitan area for walkers. <br>
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Atlanta improved from the No. 2 spot in the last rankings in 2000. <br>
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Pedestrian deaths in metro Atlanta fell to 64 in 2001 from 68 the previous year. <br>
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Sally Flocks is president of a nonprofit group that works to make sidewalks safer. Its called Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety. <br>
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She credits the drop in fatalities to more money invested in crosswalks, traffic signals and bicycle and walking paths around the state. <br>
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Orlando, Florida, however, is now considered the most dangerous city for pedestrians. <br>
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Five Florida metropolitan areas rank among the worst six in the nation. The study also finds that a stretch of road through Tampa has the worst record for pedestrian fatalities over the past year. <br>
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The six-lane road doesn't have any sidewalks or crosswalks and runs through a busy shopping and business district. <br>
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A senior analyst for the transportation project says Florida does so poorly because of suburban sprawl. <br>
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The study says nearly 5,000 were killed last year while walking down the street. It says most roads are built to move drivers quickly, with little regard for people on foot or bicycles.
