Walking to a bus stop, biking through a neighborhood, or driving across town has become increasingly dangerous in metro Atlanta. New data from transportation safety advocates reveal that traffic crashes now claim more lives in the region than homicides, an indicator of how unsafe local roadways have become for people traveling by any form of transportation.
Comparisons to homicide statistics help put the scale of the traffic fatality problem into context. Violent crime understandably receives intense public attention, while traffic fatalities are often viewed as isolated accidents rather than a systemic safety issue. The data suggest that roadway deaths deserve the same level of scrutiny and urgency.
According to the nonprofit Propel ATL’s “The Human Cost of Mobility: 2024” report, 425 people died in traffic crashes across the five core counties of Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett in 2024. Hundreds of crashes involved pedestrians, cyclists, and people using mobility devices, with pedestrian and cyclist deaths increasing compared to the previous year. And many fatal pedestrian accidents occurred within walking distance of bus stops, underscoring gaps in safe transit access and pedestrian infrastructure.
The report also highlights equity gaps across metro Atlanta. A majority of traffic fatalities occurred in predominantly Black neighborhoods, even though these areas make up less than half of the region’s census tracts, underscoring how infrastructure and planning decisions can disproportionately affect certain communities. These neighborhoods are more likely to include high-speed corridors and lack features such as sidewalks, marked crosswalks, and protected bike lanes that reduce crash severity.
While the report’s data outline the scope of Atlanta’s traffic safety issues, local news coverage has helped illustrate what these numbers mean in real life, telling the stories of residents who lost their lives in preventable crashes. CBS Atlanta reported on individuals struck while walking near a bus stop or biking for exercise when they were hit by drivers. Tragedies that families say reflect outdated street design.
As families grieve these losses, transportation safety experts emphasize that the rise in traffic fatalities is not random. The data point to clear patterns tied to roadway design, vehicle speed, and gaps in pedestrian infrastructure, patterns that local and state agencies are now working to address through safety initiatives and long-term planning efforts.
Trends and Safety Initiatives Aimed at Reducing Traffic Deaths
As families and advocates call attention to the human toll behind Atlanta’s crash statistics, transportation officials are increasingly focused on identifying patterns and preventing future deaths. Data from local, state, and national sources show that pedestrian and cyclist fatalities often follow predictable trends, particularly on high-speed roads and in areas lacking basic safety infrastructure.
The City of Atlanta’s Vision Zero initiative aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and catastrophic injuries by improving street safety through data-informed planning and infrastructure changes. The publicly available crash dashboard provides detailed information on where and how collisions occur, helping policymakers and residents identify high-risk corridors and recurring crash factors.
Vision Zero data allow users to explore crash locations, travel modes involved, and contributing factors such as speed and roadway design. This information can be used to guide safety improvements, including the addition of crosswalks, protected bike lanes, pedestrian signals, and changes to speed limits on busy corridors where serious injuries and fatalities are most common.
Pedestrians remain one of the most vulnerable groups on Atlanta’s roadways. National data from the Governors Highway Safety Association show that thousands of pedestrians are killed in traffic crashes each year across the United States, making pedestrian safety a growing concern for urban and suburban areas alike.
State-level data echo these concerns, indicating that a significant share of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries occur on high-speed roads without adequate safety features. These patterns closely mirror the trends identified in metro Atlanta, where roads designed primarily for vehicle traffic continue to pose heightened risks for people walking, biking, or using public transit.
Legal Options for Pedestrian and Car Accident Victims in Atlanta
For those injured in pedestrian or car accidents, the aftermath can be devastating. Serious injuries often involve prolonged recovery, medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma. In such cases, having experienced legal counsel can make a meaningful difference.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic crash in the Atlanta area, skilled legal help is available to protect your rights and pursue fair compensation. Seasoned attorneys can assist with investigating the crash, documenting liability, negotiating with insurance companies, and seeking compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
The Human Cost of Mobility report makes clear that Atlanta’s traffic safety challenges affect real people, families, and neighborhoods every day. While long-term improvements will require coordinated efforts from policymakers and transportation agencies, individuals injured in traffic crashes often need immediate support navigating medical care, insurance claims, and recovery.
Those seeking information about their legal options after a pedestrian or car accident can learn more from Childers, Schlueter & Smith (CSS). Our firm represents injury victims throughout the Atlanta area and works to promote safer roadways across Georgia. For more information or a free case consultation, contact CSS online, use our live chat now, or call 1-800-641-0098.
