Yesterday was an inflection point in Raquel Nelson’s horrific journey, but the case and its ramifications are from over. Ms. Nelson, you’ll recall, is the Georgia mom convicted of vehicular homicide because her four-year-old was killed by a hit-and-run driver as they crossed the road from a bus stop to her Cobb County apartment. The [...]

If you can’t see the video below, watch it here: http://video.foxnews.com/v/1081516528001/no-jail-for-jaywalking-mom-in-tragic-hit-and-run-case/ Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

“I feel like her sentencing, it doesn’t just criminalize her, but people in like circumstances whose sole transportation is their feet” – Lisa Cupid, South Cobb resident who delivered 17 letters from Nelson’s supporters to the judge today. Updated 7/26 5:41 p.m.: Raquel Nelson told the AJC that she has opted for a new trial. [...]

This morning Raquel Nelson got to tell a little of her own story on national television, thanks to a Today show piece, embedded below. The Georgia mom faces sentencing tomorrow of up to 36 months in jail on charges of vehicular homicide in the death of her son, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver [...]

Updated 7/25: This petition at Change.org for Raquel Nelson has a lot of momentum. Sign it if you haven’t already. It will be delivered to the judge in the case before sentencing tomorrow. The response to our post on the Atlanta mother who was charged with vehicular homicide when her child was struck by a hit-and-run [...]

Updated 7/19: The charge has been corrected. Nelson was charged with vehicular homicide. Updated 7/21: More information added at bottom. This is an advocacy blog, but typically we’re rather measured in our tone. Sometimes, however, we see something so utterly outrageous, so emblematic of the failure of our current transportation system, that “measured” just won’t cut [...]

Complete streets legislation passed both the New York State Senate and Assembly unanimously this week and awaits Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signature. Once the legislation becomes law as expected, New York State will follow in the footsteps of hundreds of other states and municipalities that have already started prioritizing the needs of all users on their [...]

President Obama signed an executive order today creating an advisory group for rural issues. The group will be tasked with developing recommendations for boosting economic growth, job opportunities and quality of life in rural communities. The Executive Order notes that sixteen percent of the population lives in rural counties and that these areas are essential [...]

Jackson, Mississippi Credit: Dr. Scott Crawford. This week’s release of Dangerous by Design has prompted several newspapers to editorialize in favor of tough pedestrian safety measures that address the urgency of the 47,000 killed and 688,000 injured on unsafe streets between 2000 and 2009. The report generated ample coverage in Florida, home to the nation’s four [...]

Tuesday’s release of Dangerous by Design outlining the 47,700 deaths and 688,000 injuries to people while walking on unsafe streets has renewed Congress’ focus on pedestrian safety in the next transportation bill. But what substantial steps the House and Senate will take to promote safer streets and improve conditions for walking remains very much in [...]