Traffic Fatalities on Georgia's Roadways Are Still on the Rise

In Georgia, as in the rest of the United States, we depend on our vehicles to transport us everywhere we want to go. It’s easy to ignore traffic fatality rates because we don’t believe that a fatal car crash is ever going to happen to us or anyone we care about.

In fact, Georgia's traffic fatality rate has been climbing, along with the national rate of traffic deaths. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a Vision Zero program with the goal to reduce traffic fatalities to zero. If the goal is to eliminate traffic fatalities, the number of deaths from motor vehicle wrecks is heading in the wrong direction.

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), 2014 was the last year that saw a decrease in traffic fatalities. There were 1,170 traffic fatalities that year; in 2017, there were 1,549. GDOT set a strategic objective to reduce traffic deaths by 41 or more each year. Unfortunately, the agency did not meet that goal. GDOT is continuing its "Drive Alert Arrive Alive" campaign this year, as it tries to move this number down, but there are several factors feeding into the steady increase in traffic deaths in Georgia and throughout the United States.

Speed, alcohol and distraction are killing us

So, what leads to fatal car accidents? According to NHTSA, three of the main causes are speeding, drunk driving and distractions:

• Car crashes caused by speeding killed 10,111 people throughout the U.S. in 2016, which was 27% of all traffic fatalities that year.
• Of the 37,461 people who died on our nation's roadways in 2016, 10,497 of them were killed in alcohol-related crashes.    
• Distracted drivers were responsible for 3,450 deaths in 2016, which comprised 9% of total fatal crashes.

These same factors are leading to fatal vehicle collisions in Georgia, too; in 2016, Georgia was ranked “as the 4th highest for road deaths in the country,” per WSAV.com.

Georgia State Patrol Trooper Dustin Stone offered WSAV viewers the following advice to stay safe on the road: "Put your phone down, pay attention to the roadway, don't drink and drive and always wear your seat belt. You do all those things, you decrease your chances of being involved in a fatal collision greatly."

If you were injured in a car crash in Georgia, Harris Lowry Manton LLP is here to fight vigorously for the compensation you need and deserve. We will discuss your case and review your options. You are welcome to set up a free consultation with an experienced Atlanta or Savannah personal injury lawyer by calling us at 404-998-8847 in Atlanta or 912-417-3774 in Savannah today.