Why Georgia’s “Safer Roads” Headlines Don’t Add Up — The Data Behind the Decline

ATLANTA, GA — October 2025 — A new study from The Millar Law Firm challenges the popular narrative that Georgia’s roads are getting safer. Despite recent reports celebrating a drop in crash totals statewide, the reality is that fatalities are rising in several major counties — a sign that traditional safety metrics may be giving drivers and policymakers a false sense of security.

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The Hidden Truth Behind Fewer Crashes

According to recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Georgia saw over 500 crashes, 250 injuries, and 11 fatalities during the 2024 Memorial Day weekend alone. But in counties such as DeKalb, total collisions declined in 2023 while fatal crashes rose by 25 percent, largely due to a 40 percent increase in pedestrian deaths.

Across DeKalb, Clayton, and Fulton Counties, there were 344 traffic deaths in 2023, and over 80 percent of those occurred within walking distance of a bus stop. In Atlanta, fatalities dropped from 91 in 2022 to 71 in 2023, a decrease that still left the city with its third-highest total in a decade.

Even more concerning: 73 percent of these fatalities occurred in predominantly Black neighborhoods, which represent just 54 percent of the city’s census tracts, highlighting persistent inequities in infrastructure and pedestrian safety.

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National Trends Don’t Tell Local Stories

While NHTSA reports twelve consecutive quarters of national fatality declines through Q1 2025, the pattern in Georgia doesn’t align. In fact, many states not typically considered “dangerous” report higher fatality rates per vehicle mile traveled (VMT) than their urban counterparts.

State	Fatalities per 100M Vehicle Miles (VMT)
Mississippi	2.35
South Carolina	2.07
Arkansas	1.97
Louisiana	1.88
Alabama	1.75
Kentucky	1.79

These statistics demonstrate how “fewer crashes” can disguise higher per-mile death rates, and why broad state-level comparisons often fail to capture the true scale of risk.

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Enforcement Is High — But So Are Deaths

Georgia ranks #2 in the nation for strict traffic enforcement. Drivers face some of the steepest penalties for speeding and DUI offenses, including average fines up to $500 and one of the highest citation rates in the U.S., with 11 percent of licensed drivers holding a speeding ticket.

Yet fatalities continue to rise. Distracted driving remains a persistent issue, with Georgia motorists spending nearly two minutes per trip using mobile devices, according to behavioral telematics data. These findings suggest that enforcement alone cannot fully offset infrastructure challenges or risky habits behind the wheel.

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Atlanta’s National Standing

A 2025 nationwide safety ranking placed Atlanta 189th out of 200 U.S. cities, with:

• 3.86 crashes per 1,000 drivers

• 20.6 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents

• Drivers 67 percent more likely to crash than the national average

By contrast, smaller Georgia metros show significantly safer outcomes:

• Columbus (58th)

• Augusta (85th)

• Macon (89th)

• Savannah (158th)

Meanwhile, suburban hubs like Johns Creek, Milton, and Peachtree City consistently post among the lowest crash rates per capita in the state — reinforcing how local infrastructure, not just enforcement, determines safety outcomes.

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Beyond the Numbers

Even when total crashes drop, fatalities can rise — especially during high-risk periods like rush hour. In 2024, Houston saw its total crash count decline but recorded a 15 percent jump in fatalities, the highest in city history. Georgia’s data mirrors this paradox, where selective statistics hide worsening danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters.

As one Associated Press headline put it: “New cars are safer for drivers, but deadlier for everyone else.” Georgia’s experience underscores that road safety cannot be measured by one metric alone.

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About The Millar Law Firm

The Millar Law Firm, based in Atlanta, Georgia, represents victims of car, truck, and pedestrian accidents across the state. With decades of experience in injury litigation, the firm’s attorneys help clients recover damages for medical costs, lost wages, and long-term trauma while advocating for better roadway safety and fair reporting standards.