Georgia CommonsHouse · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HR 1177: Pedestrians; wear bright or reflective clothing at night to improve visibility to drivers; urge
Last action February 5, 2026 · House Committee Favorably Reported
A Georgia House resolution urges pedestrians to wear bright or reflective clothing at night and calls on the Department of Transportation to continue its pedestrian safety campaign.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This resolution responds to a rise in pedestrian deaths on Georgia roads, noting that more than 294 people were killed in 2024 and 84 percent of those deaths happened at night. It does not change any Georgia law or create any new rule. Instead, it urges pedestrians across the state to wear bright or reflective clothing at night to make themselves easier for drivers to see. The resolution also calls on the Georgia Department of Transportation to keep running its 'See & Be Seen' campaign, which works to improve pedestrian safety through better medians, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and lighting. Finally, it directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the Department of Transportation and the public.
What the bill does
- Urges pedestrians in Georgia to wear bright or reflective clothing at night to be more visible to drivers.
- Calls on the Georgia Department of Transportation to continue its existing 'See & Be Seen' pedestrian safety campaign.
- Encourages continued improvements to medians, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and lighting as part of that campaign.
- Directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the Department of Transportation and the public.
- Does not create any new law, requirement, penalty, or funding; it expresses the House's position only.
Who it affects
Pedestrians statewide, who are encouraged to change their nighttime clothing habits, and the Georgia Department of Transportation, which is called on to continue its existing pedestrian safety campaign and infrastructure improvements.
Why it matters
Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it carries no legal requirement or penalty. Its practical effect depends on whether pedestrians and the Department of Transportation act on the House's stated encouragement to improve nighttime visibility and continue safety infrastructure work.
Key provisions
- The resolved clause urges Georgia pedestrians to wear bright and reflective clothing at night to improve visibility to drivers.
- A further resolved clause calls on the Department of Transportation to continue its 'See & Be Seen' campaign, including medians, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and lighting improvements.
- A final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the Department of Transportation and the public.
- Preamble whereas clauses cite that more than 294 pedestrians died in 2024, with 84 percent of deaths occurring at night.
From the bill
“pedestrian deaths continue to surge in Georgia, with more than 294 people killed in 2024, and 84 percent of those fatalities occurring during nighttime hours”
“the members of this body urge pedestrians in Georgia to wear bright and reflective clothing at night to improve their visibility to drivers”
“the Department of Transportation shall continue its "See & Be Seen" campaign to enhance pedestrian safety across the state”
Discussed in meetings (4)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
House Special Rules Committee, February 5, 2026
From 0:11:35 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HR 1177 urges, rather than requires, pedestrians to wear bright or reflective clothing at night. The sponsor reported that about 84% of Georgia pedestrian deaths occur at night and that more than 294 pedestrians were killed in 2024. The sponsor argued that reflective clothing improves drivers’ ability to see pedestrians and complements Georgia Department of Transportation investments in crossings, signals and lighting. One committee member supported the proposal, describing poor visibility on roads without lighting or sidewalks. A second member asked how people who cannot afford reflective vests would obtain them. The sponsor described a proposed grant-supported pilot in transportation board District 6, with hopes of expanding elsewhere. The sponsor said vests could be kept at warehouses for workers to pick up when leaving at night and stated that transportation department grant money was available. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote, with no opposition heard.
House Rules Committee, February 10, 2026
From 0:20:35 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented HR 1177 as a bipartisan response to pedestrian deaths focused on visibility at night. The sponsor said 84% of pedestrian deaths happen at night and that 294 pedestrians were killed in Georgia in 2024. No members asked questions, and no vote was shown.
Status timeline
- House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Lydia Glaize (D, HD-67)
- Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)
- Billy Mitchell (D, HD-88)
- Al Williams (D, HD-168)
- Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)
- Rhonda Burnough (D, HD-77)
Topics
- pedestrian safety
- traffic deaths
- Department of Transportation
- road safety campaigns