ATLANTA, GA — October 2025 — A new report from The Millar Law Firm exposes a growing disconnect between Georgia’s declining crash totals and rising roadway deaths. While recent headlines point to fewer accidents statewide, the underlying data shows that many communities are facing increased risk — particularly for pedestrians and commuters in high-traffic metro areas.
Fewer Crashes, More Fatalities
Recent figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) reveal a concerning trend. Georgia recorded over 500 crashes, 250 injuries, and 11 deaths during the 2024 Memorial Day weekend alone.
In DeKalb County, reported collisions fell in 2023, but fatal crashes rose by 25 percent, largely driven by a 40 percent increase in pedestrian deaths. Across DeKalb, Clayton, and Fulton Counties, there were 344 total traffic deaths last year, and more than 80 percent of crashes occurred within walking distance of a bus stop — underscoring the vulnerability of pedestrians in public transit corridors.
In Atlanta, total fatalities fell from 91 in 2022 to 71 in 2023, but that still marks the third-highest total in a decade. Alarmingly, 73 percent of those deaths occurred in predominantly Black neighborhoods, which make up only 54 percent of the city’s census tracts.
A Flawed Metric: The “Decline” in Crashes
National data can easily mislead when viewed without context. The NHTSA reported twelve consecutive quarterly declines in national fatalities through early 2025, yet many state and metro-level patterns show rising death rates despite fewer total collisions.
| State | Fatalities per 100M Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | 2.35 |
| South Carolina | 2.07 |
| Arkansas | 1.97 |
| Louisiana | 1.88 |
| Kentucky | 1.79 |
| Alabama | 1.75 |
These states rarely top “most dangerous driver” lists, but their per-mile fatality rates reveal high-risk conditions often obscured by total crash numbers alone.
Strict Enforcement, Limited Impact
Georgia ranks second in the nation for traffic enforcement toughness, yet strict penalties have not fully translated into safer roads.
- About 11 percent of Georgia drivers have active speeding citations — among the highest in the country.
- The average fine for a speeding offense can reach $500.
- Distracted driving remains widespread, with motorists spending nearly two minutes per trip on their phones.
These findings highlight a paradox: while Georgia enforces traffic laws aggressively, fatalities persist due to infrastructure gaps, vehicle size trends, and increased pedestrian exposure in urban areas.
Atlanta vs. the Rest of Georgia
A national driver safety index ranked Atlanta 189th out of 200 U.S. cities for road safety, citing:
- 3.86 crashes per 1,000 drivers
- 20.6 motor vehicle deaths per 100,000 residents
- Drivers 67 percent more likely to crash than the national average
Smaller cities fared significantly better:
- Columbus (58th)
- Augusta (85th)
- Macon (89th)
- Savannah (158th)
Suburban hubs like Johns Creek, Milton, and Peachtree City consistently record some of the lowest crash rates per capita, proving that infrastructure design and traffic volume — not enforcement alone — determine local safety outcomes.
The Bigger Picture: Misinterpreting Safety
In 2024, Houston saw a 15 percent increase in traffic fatalities even as its total crash count dropped — a reminder that fewer collisions don’t automatically mean safer conditions. Georgia is following a similar trajectory, where fewer fender-benders coexist with higher death tolls, particularly among pedestrians and cyclists.
An Associated Press headline captured the dilemma succinctly: “New cars are safer for drivers, but deadlier for everyone else.”
This mirrors the state’s data — vehicle technology reduces driver injuries but increases risk for pedestrians and non-motorists.
About The Millar Law Firm
The Millar Law Firm, located in Atlanta, Georgia, provides comprehensive legal support to individuals injured in motor vehicle, pedestrian, and truck crashes. With a focus on fair compensation and accountability, the firm advocates for accurate, transparent reporting on crash data to help improve roadway safety and public awareness statewide.
