In a collaborative effort to protect pedestrians and save lives, the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has partnered with the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s
Office, awarding a $211,425.74 grant to launch Project P.A.U.S.E. (Pedestrian Awareness and Understanding Safety Education).
This grant will help finance a proactive pedestrian safety initiative designed to reduce preventable injuries and fatalities caused by traffic crashes. Through age-appropriate educational programming, community outreach, and safety-focused engagement in high-traffic areas, Project P.A.U.S.E. will equip youth and families with instinctive, life-saving pedestrian habits.
“Every member of our community deserves to feel safe simply walking from one place to another,” said District Attorney Anita R. Howard. “These are preventable deaths. With Project P.A.U.S.E., we can teach our children and families how to navigate their surroundings responsibly and with confidence, because no one should die while walking.”
“Innovative projects like this are designed with the intent for Georgia and our nation to reach the realistic goal of zero traffic deaths by the middle of this century,” said Allen Poole, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “Each life saved on our roads is one less family that will have to live with the pain of losing a loved one whose life was taken from them in a traffic crash that was completely preventable.”
The grant period for this award will run from December 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. During this time, the District Attorney’s Office will implement Project P.A.U.S.E. in accordance with GOHS guidelines. All expenditures, reporting, and educational activities will comply with applicable state and federal auditing and accountability standards.
Project P.A.U.S.E. builds on the trusted youth engagement model of the R.I.S.E. (Restoring Inspiration by Success in Education) initiative developed by District Attorney Howard, which has served hundreds of young people and their families since 2022. By instilling safe walking practices early, P.A.U.S.E. aims to strengthen long-term pedestrian awareness and community safety throughout the community.
The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety’s mission is to educate the public on safe driving behaviors and to implement highway safety campaigns and programs designed to reduce traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities on Georgia roads.
For more information on GOHS and other statewide traffic safety initiatives, visit gahighwaysafety.org. For involvement opportunities or project details, contact the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
