There has been a 17% reduction in Georgia Traffic Fatalities over the first 30 days of 2016. So far this year, there were 20 fewer fatalities compared to the same time last year according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
|
Traffic Fatalities |
Time Period |
|---|---|
|
1170 |
2014 (annual total) |
|
1414 |
2015 (annual total) |
| 120 |
2015 (January – Feb 3rd) |
|
100 |
2016 (January – Feb 3rd) |
“Although we’re seeing a slight decline in the number of fatalities on Georgia roadways, caution is still important in order to reduce those numbers even further,“ said Garrett Townsend, Director of Public Affairs for AAA Georgia. “Any number of fatalities are too many, so AAA encourages all drivers to stay alert and keep Georgia roadways safe.”
AAA urges all drivers to:
- Fully focus on driving: do not let anything divert your attention, actively scan the road, use your mirrors and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Always wear your seat belt: seat belts are the best defense against other unsafe drivers.
- Secure you children before getting underway: if they need your attention, pull off the road safety to care for them. Reaching into the backseat can cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
- Put down electronic distractions: don’t use cell phones while driving – handheld or hands free – except in absolute emergencies. Never use text messaging, email functions, video games or the internet with a wireless device, including those built into the vehicle.
Eighty percent of all crashes occur because drivers simply aren’t paying attention, according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“During 2015 we saw our first increase in 9 years in the number of road fatalities in Georgia, Townsend said. “We’ve seen an improvement so far this year, but we have a long way to go. We just ask all motorists to stay focused while behind the wheel, and hopefully we can reduce this deadly trend.”
