Seldom a day goes by without us reading about fatal car crashes in Georgia. Recent figures revealed the issue is getting more serious and the number of deaths on the roads of Georgia rose 33 percent in just two years.
Over 1,500 people lost their lives in car accidents on Georgia highways. The Georgia Department of Transportation revealed the number of deaths on Georgia roads in 2018 rose a third in 24 months. That equates to about four deaths a day.
Fatal car crashes in Georgia rise 30 percent
Kyle Collins with the Department of Transportation told the news station 13 WMAZ Georgia is well ahead of the national average for deaths on the roads. Officials believe a surge in distracted driving may be pushing up the death rate. Collins said:
“We hate seeing one life lost, much less over 1,500 every year, which is where we currently stand.”
The state Department of Transportation revealed about 60 percent of fatal car crashes in Georgia involve a single car accident. In many cases, these cars failed to maintain a lane. In more than half of the fatal crashes, drivers or passengers were not wearing their seatbelts.
The department recently set up the “Drive Alert Arrive Alive” campaign to educate the youth and drivers about the fatal consequences of distracted driving.
The increase in road deaths in Georgia is in line with the national picture. Statistics released in October 2017 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found the number of traffic deaths in 2016 rose almost 6 percent compared with the previous year to 37,461.
The figures may be impacted by the improved economy. A combination of cheaper gas prices and better job prospects means Americans are driving more. In 2016, Americans drove 2.2 percent more miles than in 2015.
The number of deaths per mile driven rose by 2.6 percent. CNN reported the 2016 figure is the highest rate since 2008. Nevertheless, deadly wrecks on America’s highways are below the levels of even 10 years ago.
Spikes in traffic fatalities in Georgia and nationally are an issue of major concern. If you have lost a family member in a car crash, a distracted or a drunk driver may be to blame. Please call the Law Office of Michael West at (404) 913-1529.