When Fewer Crashes Mislead: Georgia’s Road Safety Numbers Tell a Different Story

Atlanta, GA, 21st October 2025, A new data study by The Millar Law Firm reveals how selective reporting of crash statistics paints an incomplete, and sometimes, misleading picture of road safety in Georgia. Despite fewer overall collisions in several counties, fatality rates are climbing, exposing how data can distort reality when stripped of critical context.

Crash Numbers Drop, But Deaths Keep Rising

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Georgia recorded over 500 crashes, 250 injuries, and 11 deaths during the 2024 Memorial Day weekend. However, the broader trend tells a troubling story.

In DeKalb County, total crash counts fell in 2023, yet fatalities rose by 25%, driven largely by a 40% increase in pedestrian deaths. Across DeKalb, Clayton, and Fulton Counties, 344 people died in crashes last year, with over 80% of incidents occurring within walking distance of public transit stops.

In Atlanta, total deaths dropped from 91 in 2022 to 71 in 2023, but the figure still represents the third-highest total in ten years. Disturbingly, 73% of all fatalities occurred in predominantly Black neighborhoods, despite these areas making up just 54% of local census tracts revealing deep inequities in road infrastructure and enforcement.

National Data Isn’t Always the Whole Truth

While the NHTSA reports 12 consecutive quarters of declining national traffic deaths through early 2025, many localities are still experiencing deadly outcomes. In fact, several states that don’t appear on “most dangerous driver” lists have higher fatality rates per mile traveled than larger urban centers.

The takeaway: crash data without mileage, population, and severity metrics doesn’t measure true risk.

Georgia’s Enforcement Paradox

Georgia ranks #2 nationally for strict traffic enforcement, according to insurance and legal data. Yet the paradox remains, tough laws aren’t fully translating into safer outcomes.

• 11% of Georgia drivers currently have active speeding citations, among the highest in the U.S.

• The average fine for a speeding offense can reach $500.

• Distracted driving continues to plague motorists, with Georgia drivers averaging 1 minute and 50 seconds of phone use per trip.
  

Despite strong enforcement, gaps in infrastructure, from unsafe crosswalks to poorly lit corridors, contribute to higher death rates even when crash frequency declines.

Atlanta’s Rankings and Risk Reality

A recent driver safety index ranked Atlanta 189th out of 200 U.S. cities, reporting:

• 3.86 crashes per 1,000 drivers
  

• 20.6 motor vehicle deaths per 100,000 residents
  

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

Yet smaller Georgia metros tell a very different story.

• Columbus (58th), Augusta (85th), Macon (89th), and Savannah (158th) rank far safer overall.

• Johns Creek, Milton, and Peachtree City consistently report the lowest per-capita crash rates in the state.

Such disparity highlights the danger of state-level generalizations — proving that safety depends on local infrastructure, not statewide averages.

The Real Risk Behind the Numbers

Crash data headlines often tout “declines” that mask deeper issues. Fatalities can increase even as crashes fall, especially during high-risk times such as rush hour. For example, in Houston, total crashes dropped in 2024, but deaths jumped by 15%, marking a city record.

The Associated Press recently summarized this paradox best: “New cars are supposed to be getting safer. So why are pedestrian and cyclist deaths still rising?” The answer, vehicle safety for occupants doesn’t equal safety for everyone else.

About The Millar Law Firm

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, The Millar Law Firm represents car crash victims, pedestrians, and families across the state. Their attorneys help clients recover medical costs, lost income, and damages from negligent drivers, while advocating for stronger road safety measures and accurate crash reporting.

Media Contact:
The Millar Law Firm
2859 Paces Ferry Rd SE Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA 30339
[email protected]
(770) 400-0000