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Traffic fatality realities in Georgia

Georgia experienced the fifth highest jump in vehicular fatalities among all of the states between 2014 and 2016.

Georgia residents who take care to drive responsibly should be able to feel safe when on the roads. Sadly, not all people are equally attentive and responsible. Despite countless public awareness campaigns and tough legislation, many drivers still operate their vehicles in reckless ways .

From making the dangerous choice to drive after consuming alcohol to looking at a text message while driving and more, there are a number of things drivers do that put others in harm’s way.

How many people die in accidents in Georgia?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration collects and reports statistics about roadway fatalities. In looking at the data from 2014 and then from 2015, a tragic and dangerous trend is seen. Not only did the number of people killed on Georgia roads and highways increase between those two years but the increases were seen across several major categories of accidents.

Overall, 1,164 people died in traffic crashes statewide in 2014 but 1,430 died in 2015. An increase in the number of deaths in accidents involving alcohol and speed were seen. Also increasing were the numbers of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists killed.

From 2014 to 2015, the number of drunk driving deaths rose from 279 to 366. The number of deaths involving speeding rose from 213 to 268. In 2014, 163 pedestrians, 19 bicyclists and 137 motorcyclists were killed. In 2015 those same deaths jumped to 193, 23 and 152, respectively.

How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?

According to data recently released by the National Safety Council, the number of people killed in automobile accidents in Georgia increased by 34 percent between 2014 and 2016. Only four other states saw increases greater than that. The national average for this same period of time was significantly lower than in Georgia at 14 percent.

In 2016, the United States experienced its most deadly year on the road since 2007. Of the more than 40,000 people killed in vehicular crashes last year, over 1,500 died in Georgia. It is believed that drunk drivers and distracted drivers are responsible for a large number of these deaths.

What should Georgia residents do after a crash happens?

People should know that an accident can happen anytime, anywhere and that whether or not another driver is insured, they deserve proper compensation. Talking to an attorney is a recommended course of action regardless of the severity of the crash. This gives Georgians accurate information about the laws and offers the best way of assessing their options.