MoneyGeek looked into the 4,307 recorded fatal crashes in Georgia from 2018 to 2020 to identify which roads are the deadliest in the state. Out of Georgia's 272,662 miles of road, our analysis examined 2,404 roads.

The study explores various factors that were involved in these accidents. Some — like drunk driving, distracted driving and speeding — are connected to driver behaviors. Others — like weather and time of the year — are associated with the environment. You can also find a summary of information for each county in Georgia and the deadliest roads in each.

Key Findings

  • SR-42 from S. River Industrial Blvd SE to Wylie St. SE is the deadliest stretch of road in Georgia. Between 2018–2020, 12 fatal accidents occurred here.
  • Drunk driving and speeding were the most significant contributors to fatal accidents in Georgia. 20% of all deadly crashes involved distracted driving, while speeding was connected to 18.7%
  • Georgia has one of the lowest incidents of distracted driving of any state. Distracted driving was involved in just 3.6% of the state's fatal crashes from 2018 to 2020. Georgia ranks better than 88% of states for distracted driving fatalities, according to MoneyGeek’s distracted driving study.
  • October had the highest number of deadly crashes of any month from 2018 to 2020, with 396 fatal accidents; that’s 9.2% of all recorded deadly crashes in Georgia in a three-year period. September and November had the next highest numbers, with 394 and 384, respectively.
  • Fulton had the most fatal accidents of any county. The majority of these accidents happened on I-285.

10 Deadliest Road Stretches in Georgia


  • DEADLIEST ROAD IN GEORGIA
    Moreland Ave. (Georgia 42) from S. River Industrial Blvd. SE to Wylie St. SE
    Decatur | Atlanta
    Moreland Ave. (Georgia 42) from S. River Industrial Blvd. SE to Wylie St. SE
    • Fatal Accidents:12
    • fatalities:13
    • Crashes Per Mile:2.5
    • distance:4.8
  • I-20 from Exit 71 to Exit 65
    Decatur
    I-20 from Exit 71 to Exit 65
    • Fatal Accidents:11
    • fatalities:11
    • Crashes Per Mile:2.2
    • distance:5.0
  • The Perimeter (I-285) from the Rt. 6 Interchange to the Riverdale Rd. Exit
    East Point | Other | College Park
    The Perimeter (I-285) from the Rt. 6 Interchange to the Riverdale Rd. Exit
    • Fatal Accidents:11
    • fatalities:11
    • Crashes Per Mile:2.5
    • distance:4.4
  • The Perimeter (I-285) from the Bouldercrest Rd Exit to the I-20 interchange
    Decatur
    The Perimeter (I-285) from the Bouldercrest Rd Exit to the I-20 interchange
    • Fatal Accidents:10
    • fatalities:10
    • Crashes Per Mile:2.2
    • distance:4.5
  • Georgia 85 from Exit 237A to Springdale Dr.
    Forest Park | Riverdale
    Georgia 85 from Exit 237A to Springdale Dr.
    • Fatal Accidents:10
    • fatalities:10
    • Crashes Per Mile:2.5
    • distance:4.0
  • Old National Hwy. (Georgia 279) between Bethsaida Rd. and the I-85 overpass
    Atlanta
    Old National Hwy. (Georgia 279) between Bethsaida Rd. and the I-85 overpass
    • Fatal Accidents:10
    • fatalities:10
    • Crashes Per Mile:2.6
    • distance:3.8
  • I-85 from Exit 71 to Exit 77
    East Point | College Park | Atlanta
    I-85 from Exit 71 to Exit 77
    • Fatal Accidents:9
    • fatalities:9
    • Crashes Per Mile:2.1
    • distance:4.3
  • I-285 from Exit 53 to South Loop Rd.
    Forest Park | Atlanta
    I-285 from Exit 53 to South Loop Rd.
    • Fatal Accidents:8
    • fatalities:10
    • Crashes Per Mile:2.1
    • distance:3.7
  • Georgia 6 from Riverside Pkwy. to Maxham Rd.
    Douglas County
    Georgia 6 from Riverside Pkwy. to Maxham Rd.
    • Fatal Accidents:8
    • fatalities:9
    • Crashes Per Mile:2.0
    • distance:3.9
  • I-285 from Exit 25 to US Hwy. 41
    Marietta | Sandy Springs
    I-285 from Exit 25 to US Hwy. 41
    • Fatal Accidents:7
    • fatalities:8
    • Crashes Per Mile:1.5
    • distance:4.8

Drunk Driving Involved in 20% of Fatal Accidents

Between 2018 and 2020, there were more fatal crashes involving drunk driving than other factors, including speeding, distracted driving and winter weather. That’s 20% of all recorded accidents in the state resulting in fatalities, translating to 860 incidents.

A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% makes you legally drunk in Georgia. However, a lower BAC is enough to impair your driving. Just two alcoholic drinks bring your BAC up to 0.02%, leading to an altered mood and a more relaxed state. Multitasking and visually tracking moving targets become challenging. Unfortunately, both of these skills are essential to your safety when you’re behind the wheel.

Fatalities from a drunk driving incident are a worst-case scenario. But even if it doesn’t come to that, the consequences of driving drunk can be extensive. These include lost driving privileges, fines and possible jail time. Drivers with DUIs also have more difficulty finding affordable car insurance in Georgia. These drivers are required to carry Georgia SR-22 insurance, which is more expensive than any other coverage.

Speeding Is a Factor in 19% of Fatal Crashes

Speeding was involved in 18.7% of all fatal accidents recorded in Georgia from 2018 to 2020. That translates to 805 deaths.

Unfortunately, this trend isn’t specific to Georgia. The National Safety Council pegged speeding as a contributing factor to 29% of all fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2020. Speeding reduces the time drivers have to react in hazardous situations, increases the necessary stopping time and makes safety structures and devices less effective.

Distracted Driving Contributed to 4% of Fatal Accidents

Distracted driving was a factor in 157 fatalities in Georgia. That’s 3.6% of deadly crashes between 2018 and 2020. MoneyGeek’s study on the worst states for distracted driving found that Georgia ranked better than 88% of states.

In July 2018, Georgia’s Hands-Free Act took effect to address distracted driving, which may have contributed to the low number of deaths related to distracted driving in the state.

October Had More Fatal Accidents Than Any Other Month

Besides driver behaviors, MoneyGeek’s study also analyzed the time of the year when most fatal accidents in Georgia happened. Results showed October had the highest number at 396, accounting for 9.2% of all deadly crashes. The two months with the next-highest numbers were September (394) and November (384).

Average Fatal Accidents by Month
Month
Fatal Accidents
Drunk Driving Related
Distracted Driving Related
Winter Conditions
Speeding Related
% of Total

January

310

62

12

0

51

7.2%

February

310

64

17

2

64

7.2%

March

379

72

22

0

65

8.8%

April

294

45

15

0

52

6.8%

May

375

74

18

0

76

8.7%

June

341

71

7

0

75

7.9%

July

370

74

11

0

71

8.6%

August

383

96

9

0

82

8.9%

September

394

74

12

0

70

9.1%

October

396

83

10

0

71

9.2%

November

384

70

8

1

61

8.9%

December

371

75

16

2

67

8.6%

Driving Safely Protects You, Others and Your Wallet

Driving responsibly allows you to do your part in keeping Georgia’s roadways safe. However, the benefits of safe driving also extend to your finances. The cost of repairs after a collision can be expensive, but having affordable full coverage auto insurance can make it more manageable. Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen.

The average cost of car insurance in Georgia is $1,638 per year; however, rates can vary depending on where you live. For example, car insurance in Atlanta, Georgia’s most populous city, costs as much as the state average. However, you only pay $1,200 for auto insurance in Augusta — a difference of $438.

Remember that the figures above are averages. Your personalized quote may show a different rate because of your unique profile, which considers your age and driving history. Comparing estimates from multiple providers can help you find the cheapest car insurance company for you.

Fatal Accidents and Most Dangerous Roads: County Breakdown

The five counties with the most deadly crashes contributed 1,150 incidents. That’s over a quarter of all fatal accidents in Georgia between 2018 to 2020.

Out of all the counties in Georgia, Fulton had the highest number of fatal accidents at 375. Most of these occurred along I-285 and involved speeding and drunk driving.

Fatal Accidents and Contributing Factors By County
County
Fatal Accidents
Drunk Driving Related
Distracted Driving Related
Speeding Related
Most Deadly Road (Fatal Accidents)

Fulton

375

60

13

84

I-285 (26)

Dekalb

272

62

13

39

I-285 (24)

Cobb

194

39

3

48

I-75 (14)

Gwinnett

170

29

4

35

I-85 (12)

Clayton

139

24

3

25

SR-85 (10)

Chatham

94

23

5

24

I-95 (8)

Bibb

94

15

3

13

I-75 (8)

Richmond

74

10

2

17

Peach Orchard Road (3)

Hall

72

13

1

14

SR-60 (7)

Bartow

69

12

0

16

I-75 (11)

Carroll

64

14

2

13

SR-166 (9)

Henry

63

12

2

14

I-75 (14)

Muscogee

58

10

4

9

I-185 (4)

Coweta

57

20

2

12

I-85 SR-403 (5)

Paulding

54

8

4

14

SR-61 (4)

Newton

51

11

3

13

SR-162 (4)

Douglas

51

5

1

9

SR-6 (8)

Cherokee

49

12

5

12

SR-92 (6)

Floyd

48

4

2

10

SR-20 (4)

Barrow

46

8

3

12

SR-211 (7)

Lowndes

46

10

4

11

I-75 (5)

Bulloch

43

14

1

6

SR-67 (4)

Houston

43

5

3

3

SR-247 (4)

Glynn

42

12

1

13

SR-25 (4)

Forsyth

40

11

1

11

SR-400 (3)

Whitfield

40

3

3

4

I-75 (9)

Rockdale

38

7

1

6

SR-138 (7)

Dougherty

38

0

1

6

Cr-Gravel Hill Road (2)

Clarke

37

8

0

4

SR-10 (4)

Liberty

36

16

1

7

SR-196 (5)

Jackson

36

7

1

2

SR-124 (5)

Spalding

35

5

0

8

SR-92 (4)

Troup

34

13

1

11

I-85 (5)

Laurens

33

5

1

7

SR-29 (3)

Haralson

32

6

1

3

SR-120 (5)

Columbia

31

6

0

7

SR-383 (3)

Walton

31

5

1

6

SR-11 (5)

Ware

30

2

1

6

SR-520 (3)

Coffee

29

7

2

6

SR-32 (5)

Fayette

28

2

0

4

SR-92 (5)

Baldwin

28

5

0

5

SR-22 (4)

Thomas

28

6

1

7

SR-38 (2)

Peach

27

5

2

0

I-75 (5)

Gordon

26

5

0

4

I-75 (5)

Colquitt

26

7

2

2

SR-37 (3)

Walker

25

1

2

6

SR-193 (4)

Polk

25

5

0

7

SR-1 (4)

Burke

24

7

1

4

SR-23 (3)

Franklin

24

1

2

3

I-85 (9)

Monroe

23

4

4

8

I-75 (5)

Effingham

23

5

0

6

SR-17 (5)

Meriwether

22

11

3

6

SR-85Al (1)

Butts

22

6

1

5

SR-16 (4)

Dade

21

5

0

5

SR-136 (4)

Lumpkin

20

5

1

5

SR-9 (3)

Catoosa

19

2

1

4

SR-151 (2)

Wayne

19

5

0

4

SR-169 (3)

Tift

19

3

0

0

Cr-407 Old Ocilla Ard (1)

Gilmer

19

3

2

2

SR-52 (4)

Decatur

19

3

0

2

SR-97 (3)

Chattooga

19

5

1

4

US-Sr1 (2)

Stephens

19

3

1

3

SR-17 (5)

Morgan

18

3

0

4

SR-24 (2)

Macon

18

4

0

3

SR-49 (6)

Harris

18

4

0

7

SR-219 (3)

Worth

18

3

0

1

SR-520 (3)

Murray

17

0

4

3

SR-225 (5)

Tattnall

17

6

1

3

SR-169 (2)

Mcduffie

17

4

0

3

I-20 (3)

Camden

17

2

1

5

SR-40 (4)

Dodge

17

5

1

1

SR-87 (2)

Dooly

17

5

1

1

I-75 (4)

Toombs

17

4

1

3

US-1 SR-4 (3)

Washington

17

4

1

2

SR-15 (4)

Emanuel

17

7

0

1

SR-26 (2)

Habersham

17

4

0

1

US-Sr15 (2)

Mcintosh

16

7

0

5

I-95 (5)

Pickens

16

1

1

0

SR-5 (4)

Madison

16

2

1

1

SR-98 (4)

Oconee

16

4

0

2

SR-15 (3)

Jeff Davis

16

5

0

3

SR-107 (1)

Bryan

16

1

0

3

I-95 (2)

Grady

16

2

0

3

SR-38 (3)

Hancock

15

2

0

2

SR-16 (5)

Putnam

15

4

0

2

SR-24 (5)

Cook

15

2

0

2

I-75 (5)

White

15

1

1

0

US-Sr11 (3)

Crisp

15

1

1

0

SR-300 (2)

Rabun

14

3

1

3

SR-15 (6)

Banks

14

1

0

1

I-85 (3)

Heard

14

3

0

3

SR-34 (3)

Hart

14

1

1

1

SR-172 (4)

Upson

14

4

2

3

SR-36 (3)

Appling

13

3

0

2

SR-27 (2)

Elbert

13

3

0

0

SR-172 (3)

Dawson

13

3

0

4

SR-53 (5)

Telfair

13

2

0

1

SR-30 (2)

Towns

13

4

0

1

SR-2 (2)

Jefferson

13

1

0

1

US-Sr4 (2)

Jones

13

2

1

0

SR-49 (2)

Fannin

12

3

1

2

US-Sr515 (2)

Candler

11

3

0

1

I-16 (3)

Mitchell

11

2

0

0

SR-97 (2)

Seminole

11

4

0

1

US-84 SR-38 (2)

Screven

11

5

0

3

US-301 SR-73 (2)

Berrien

10

2

0

2

SR-37 (2)

Pike

10

1

2

2

SR-18 (3)

Brantley

10

2

0

1

SR-110 (2)

Brooks

10

2

4

1

SR-133 (2)

Terrell

9

0

0

0

SR-520 (2)

Greene

9

2

0

0

I-20 SR-402 (2)

Union

9

0

0

1

SR-11 (2)

Evans

9

4

1

3

SR-129 (2)

Bacon

9

3

1

1

SR-32 (2)

Talbot

9

4

0

3

SR-22 (3)

Wilkinson

9

3

0

3

SR-0029 (2)

Sumter

9

1

0

1

SR-3 (2)

Lamar

9

3

0

4

SR-36 (3)

Wilkes

8

1

0

1

Cr-1480 (1)

Warren

8

1

0

2

I-20 (3)

Jenkins

8

3

0

1

Cr-127 Joe Waters Rd (1)

Lincoln

8

4

0

2

SR-47 (4)

Long

8

1

0

1

Cr-Joe Kennedy Rd (1)

Lee

8

4

0

0

US-Sr3 (2)

Pierce

8

1

1

3

SR-15 (3)

Taliaferro

7

1

0

2

SR-22 (3)

Atkinson

7

0

0

2

SR-520 (3)

Montgomery

7

3

0

1

US-Sr30 (1)

Bleckley

7

3

0

3

I-16 (2)

Oglethorpe

7

1

0

1

Cr-497/Cotton Cir (1)

Early

7

1

1

2

US-Sr1 (1)

Charlton

7

0

0

1

SR-4 (2)

Irwin

7

0

0

1

SR-32 (3)

Pulaski

6

1

0

1

Cr-32/Cannon Road (1)

Marion

6

4

0

1

SR-240 (2)

Crawford

6

2

0

1

SR-42 (3)

Ben Hill

6

2

0

1

US-319 SR-107 Jacksonville Hwy (1)

Wheeler

6

4

0

2

SR-126 (1)

Wilcox

6

2

1

2

US-Sr30 (1)

Jasper

6

1

0

2

Cr-364 Jackson Lake Rd (2)

Treutlen

6

2

0

0

I-16 (2)

Johnson

6

1

0

2

Cr-25/New Buckeye Rd (1)

Turner

6

3

0

1

SR-32/112 (1)

Twiggs

6

1

0

0

SR-96 (2)

Baker

5

1

1

1

SR-91 (2)

Calhoun

4

1

1

0

SR-216 (2)

Taylor

4

1

0

0

US-Sr22 (1)

Stewart

4

1

0

0

SR-1 (2)

Chattahoochee

4

0

0

0

SR-1 (2)

Lanier

4

1

1

0

Cr-0075 Boyette Rd (1)

Clinch

4

0

0

1

Cr-Shiloh Road (1)

Clay

3

1

0

0

SR-1 (1)

Miller

3

3

0

0

SR-273 (1)

Schley

3

1

0

0

SR-26 (2)

Randolph

3

1

0

0

Cr-73/Grubbs Rd (1)

Glascock

3

1

0

0

SR-80 (2)

Webster

2

2

0

1

SR-520 (1)

Echols

2

1

0

0

Cr-83/Tince Rd (1)

Quitman

1

0

0

0

US-Sr50 (1)

Methodology

MoneyGeek analyzed 2018, 2019 and 2020 fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) database. Currently, 2020 is the latest data available in the system.

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is the head of marketing and communications at MoneyGeek. He has spent more than a decade in corporate finance performing valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies including OpenTable. He holds a master’s degree in Predictive Analytics (Data Science) from Northwestern University and is a CFA charter holder. Doug geeks out on building financial and predictive models and using data to make informed decisions.


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