ATLANTA -- A Cobb County jury partially blamed a jaywalking mother for the death of her 4-year-old child. On Tuesday, Raquel Nelson was given the option of 12 months probation plus 40 hours of community service or a new trial.
RELATED: Jaywalking mom weighs new trial or probation
It's a tragic story that made headlines nationwide, especially after word got out that the man behind the wheel, Jerry Guy, wasn't behind bars very long.
In fact, he still has his drivers license, despite a history of driving problems.
One of the reasons why Nelson faced such a harsh sentence, is because investigators say she endangered her three children by jaywalking.
The jury believed she needed to use the crosswalk a long way away.
So, 11Alive News wanted to know, how dangerous is it really?
Not jaywalking, but navigating crosswalks protected by state law.
Jeff Hullinger took a walk, and got quite the education.
Almost no one stopped.
Jeff set out to do a story with Sally Flocks on pedestrian safety. She doesn't drive. She rides public transportation and walks everywhere, because of a medical condition.
Flocks is the President and CEO of PEDS, a non-profit advocacy organization to protect pedestrians
She believes Cobb County and CCT should revisit how bus stops are placed.
She's been an outspoken critic of the decision to prosecute Raquel Nelson for allegedly "endangering" her children - and here's why.
Late Tuesday afternoon she told 11Alives Hullinger, "Anywhere in the Atlanta metro area where there are crosswalks, you take your life into your own hands."
Hullinger and Flocks decided to try out The Georgia Law and see how many would stop once they declared their intent to cross the street in the crosswalks.
The location would be in front of the Center for the Visually Impaired on West Peachtree and 4th.
That should be safe, right?
See for yourself.