Older drivers (Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety), 2023

Georgia Traffic Safety Facts
2023 Data

September 2025
Key Findings 55+ Years In 2023, an estimated 3.0 million people in
Georgia were 55 years and older an 8% increase from 2019. The older population (55+ years) represented 27% of the total Georgia resident population. Older drivers (55+ years) also accounted for 36% of all licensed drivers, 27% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes, and 21% of all drivers involved in motor vehicle crashes.
65+ Years In 2023, there were 1.8 million licensed
drivers 65+ years old a 28% increase from 2019. Drivers 65+ years old represented 21% of all licensed drivers. The number of drivers ages 65+ years involved in fatal crashes decreased by less than 1% (from 306 drivers in 2022 to 303 drivers in 2023). Drivers ages 65+ years accounted for 13% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2023. In 2023, the total motor vehicle crashrelated hospitalization and emergency room charges among Georgia residents 65+ years was $358 million.
Cross-Cutting Findings
Between 2022 and 2023, the number of pedestrians 65+ years of age that were seriously or fatally injured increased by 17% (from 87 to 102), and the rate of seriously or fatally injured pedestrians 65+ years per 100,000 population increased by 13% (from 5.29 to 6.01).
Governor's Office of Highway Safety
7 M.L.K. Jr Dr SE Suite #643 Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-6996 www.gahighwaysafety.org

Older Drivers
Ages 55 Years and Older
For the purposes of this fact sheet, persons 55-to-64 years old and persons 65 years or older are considered part of the "older road users" population. This fact sheet particularly focuses on the 55+ drivers, motor vehicle occupants, and non-motorists. The involvement of older drivers in traffic crashes does not imply that older drivers caused the crash either by their actions or failure to act.
This fact sheet contains information from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) crash data modified by the Crash Outcomes Data Evaluation System (CODES) at the Department of Public Health (DPH), Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), Hospital Discharge Data, and Emergency Room Data. Refer to the 'Data Considerations' presented at the end of this publication for more information concerning the data.

Traffic Crashes Involving Older Drivers

Across the decade, drivers 65+ years represented approximately 13% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes. From 2022 to 2023, the number of drivers aged 65 and older involved in fatal crashes decreased by three, from 306 drivers in 2022 to 303 drivers in 2023. Additionally, the fatal crash involvement rate for drivers in this age group decreased by 4%, decreasing from 18.6 to 17.9 per 100,000 population. The number and rate of drivers in the 55-to-64 age group involved in fatal crashes increased by 4%, from 295 in 2022 to 306 in 2023.

Figure 1. Older Drivers (55+ Years) Involved in Fatal Crashes and

Rate per 100,000 Population, 20192023

Drivers Aged 55-64 Yrs Drivers Aged 65+ Yrs Drivers Aged 55-64 Yrs Rate per 100,000 Population

30.0

25.0

21.2

24.4

25.2

22.1

22.7

525

20.0
20.6
15.0

10.0

277 313

19.0 323 299

21.5 338 341

18.6 295 306

425
17.9 325
306 303 225

5.0

125

-
2019
Source: FARS 2019-2023

2020

2021

2022

25
2023

In 2023, older drivers aged 65+ years represented 19% of the population and 21% of all licensed drivers. However, they only represent 9% of all drivers involved in traffic crashes and 13% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes. Compared to other age groups, drivers 65+ years have the lowest rate of drivers involved in fatal crashes per licensed driver and per population. However, this age group has the highest rate of involvement in fatal crashes per 100,000 motor vehicle traffic crashes. The rate of older drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 motor vehicle traffic crashes increases as older drivers 65+ years continue to age. This increase may be indicative of the vulnerability of that driving population and the fragility that aging brings. In 2023:
For every 100,000 traffic crashes involving drivers aged 65+ years, 470.1 were fatal crashes.
For every 100,000 licensed drivers aged 65+ years, 17.1 drivers aged 65+ years were involved in a fatal crash.
For every 100,000 Georgia residents aged 65+ years, 17.9 drivers aged 65+ years were involved in a fatal crash.

Table 1. Drivers Involved in Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes by Age Group, 2023

Age Group
(Years)
15-20

Number of Drivers Involved

Traffic

Fatal

Crashes Crashes

69,359

176

Licensed Drivers

Estimated Population

669,218

932,750

Rates of Drivers

Involved in Fatal Crashes

Per 100,000
Crashes

Per 100,000
License

Per 100,000
Population

253.8

26.3

18.9

21-24

66,844

207

568,837

588,486

309.7

36.4

35.2

25-34

151,854

465 1,493,617 1,524,619

306.2

31.1

30.5

35-44

122,871

423 1,413,593 1,475,028

344.3

29.9

28.7

45-54

98,362

319 1,339,719 1,403,912

324.3

23.8

22.7

55-64

78,769

306 1,304,385 1,345,486

388.5

23.5

22.7

65+

64,459

303 1,775,483 1,696,217

470.1

17.1

17.9

65-74 43,620

179 1,018,649 1,020,844

410.4

17.6

17.5

75-84 17,851

105

574,182

523,970

588.2

18.3

20.0

85+

2,988

19

182,652

151,403

635.9

10.4

12.5

TOTAL 695,322* 2,261*

8,564,856

*Totals include drivers 14 years or younger or with unreported age Source: FARS 2023; CODES 2023; DDS 2023; OASIS 2023

8,966,498

325.2

26.4

25.2

Figure 2 displays the rate of drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers by age group. Generally, as age increases, the rate of involvement in fatal crashes decreases. In 2023, 18.3 drivers aged 75 to 84 years, out of every 100,000 licensed drivers in this age group, were involved in a fatal crash.

Figure 2. Rate of Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Licensed Drivers by Age Group, 2023

36.4

31.1 29.9

26.3

23.8 23.5

All Drivers = 26.4

17.6 18.3

10.4

15-20 21-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 85+
Source: FARS 2023, DDS 2023

Fatalities and Serious Injuries in Crashes Involving Older Drivers
Table 2 shows the number of all traffic fatalities that involved drivers aged 65+ years by person type from 2019 to 2023.
Fatalities among drivers aged 65+ years decreased by 14%, from 170 in 2022 to 147 in 2023. Fatalities among motorcyclists (operators and passengers) aged 65+ years increased by 50%, from
12 fatalities in 2022 to 18 fatalities in 2023. Over the past five years, the majority of fatally injured passengers in crashes involving older drivers
were themselves aged 65 or older. In 2023, 75% (21 out of 28) of fatally injured passengers of drivers 65+ years were also over the age of 65 years.

Table 2. Traffic Fatalities in Crashes Involving Older Drivers (65+ Years) by Person Type and Year, 2019-2023

Older Drivers (65+Years)

Passengers of Older Drivers by Age

Year

Drivers

Motorcycle Operators

Less than 65 Years

65+ Years

Total Passengers*

2019

184 57%

20 6%

8

32

40

2%

10%

12%

2020

176 56%

7 2%

12

29

42*

4%

9%

13%

2021

184 54%

11 3%

16

25

42

5%

7%

12%

2022

170 55%

12 4%

5

26

31

2%

8%

10%

2023

147 49%

18 6%

6

21

28

2%

7%

9%

Note: Percent is calculated across the rows. * Includes passengers of unknown age. Source: FARS 2019-2023

Occupants of Other Vehicles
55 17% 60 19% 70 21% 64 21% 75 25%

NonMotorists
23 7% 28 9% 34 10% 31 10% 31 10%

Total
322 100% 313 100% 340 100% 308 100% 299 100%

In 2023, there were 1,340 persons with suspected serious injuries involved in crashes that involved older drivers aged 65+ years--16% of all serious injuries. Figure 3 shows the percentage of serious injuries among all persons involved in multi-vehicle crashes with at least one older driver aged 65+ in 2023. Among all serious injuries involving older drivers:
49% were occupants in the vehicle operated by the older driver (represented by light and dark yellow in Figure 3). - 38% were older drivers aged 65+ years - 11% were the passengers of the older driver
51% were occupants of other vehicles or non-motorists (represented by light and dark blue in Figure 3). - 44% were occupants of vehicles that were not operated by an older driver - 7% were non-motorists (i.e., pedestrians or bicyclists).

Figure 3: Percent of Persons Seriously Injured in Multi-Vehicle Crashes Involving Older Drivers (65+ Years) by Person Type, 2023
Occupant in older driver's vehicle
Occupant in another vehicle or non-motorist

Non-Motorists 7% (84)

Occupant of another vehicle
44% (523)

Older Driver 38% (461)

1,199 Serious Injuries

Passengers of Older Driver 11% (131)

Source: CODES 2023 Multi-vehicle crashes include crashes with another vehicle and/or a non-motorist (pedestrian or bicyclist).

Restraint Use & Seatbelt Violations

Figure 4 shows the percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants (across all seating positions) who were unrestrained by age group and sex between 2021 and 2023. Passenger vehicles include passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans.
Between 2021 and 2023, there were more unrestrained, fatally injured, older passenger vehicle occupants who were male compared to female. Based on known restraint use:
53% of fatally injured, male occupants aged 55-64 years were unrestrained, compared to 41% of female occupants.
42% of fatally injured, male occupants aged 65+ years were unrestrained, compared to 27% of female occupants.
11% of seriously injured1 drivers 65+ years were unrestrained, and 8% of seriously injured passengers 65+ years were unrestrained (not shown in Figure 4).

32% 31%
53% 55%
66% 54%
67% 59%
63% 50%
58% 46%
53% 41% 42% 27%

Figure 4. Percent of Fatally Injured Passenger Vehicle Occupants Unrestrained* in Traffic Crashes by Age Group and Sex, 2021-2023 (3-year period)
Male Female
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0% Less 15-20 21-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+
than 15
*Based on known restraint use Passenger vehicles include passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans. Source: FARS 2021-2023

In 2023, older drivers (55+ years) represented 12% of all seatbelt violations and 5% of child safety seat violations. Older drivers may be cited and convicted for seatbelt or child safety seat violations for other occupants within their vehicle.

Seating Positions: Driving with Peers
Figure 5 displays the seating positions of fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants aged 65+ years who were unrestrained from 2019 to 2023. Nearly one out of every three (31%) of all passenger vehicle occupants 65+ years of age (regardless of seating position) were unrestrained.
34% of all fatally injured older drivers aged 65+ years old were unrestrained.
17% of fatally injured front seat passengers 65+ years old were unrestrained.
42% of fatally injured backseat passengers (all backseat seating positions) aged 65+ years were unrestrained.

Figure 5. Percent of Fatally Injured Passenger Vehicle Occupants (Aged 65+ Years) Unrestrained* by Seating Position, 2019-2023
Restrained Unrestrained
*Based on known restraint use Note: the number of backseat passenger fatalities aged 65+ years is relatively low. Source: FARS 2019-2023

1 Serious injuries are suspected serious injuries reported by law enforcement.

Older Driver Licensing and Population Trends
In 2023, an estimated 3.0 million people (27% of the total Georgia resident population) were 55 years of age and older. Fifteen percent (15%) of the Georgia population was 65 years old or older. Compared to 2019, the overall population in Georgia increased by 4%; however, the population of persons 55 years and older increased by 8% in 2023. As a result, older persons 55 years and older represent a greater proportion of the Georgia population than in previous years.

Over the past decade, the older population across the 55-to-64 years, 65-to-74 years, and 75+ age groups has steadily increased. According to the Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services, "Georgia's 60+ population is expected to increase by 66% between 2010 and 2050. Georgia's 85+ population is expected to triple to 462,723 persons in 2050 the fastest growing age group."2

In 2023, there were 3.08 million licensed drivers over the age of 55 years a 17% increase from 2019. Older drivers (55+ years) made up 36% of all licensed drivers in 2023. Table 3 shows the number of licensed older drivers and population estimates by age group and sex for 2019 and 2023.

Table 3: Population Estimates and Licensing among Persons 55+ Years, 2019 and 2023

Age Group and Sex

55-64 Years
65+ Years
65-74 Years
75-84 Years
85+ Years

Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total

Population Estimates

2019

2023

Change Number Percent

622,328

649,662 27,334

4%

685,205

695,824 10,619

2%

1,307,533

1,345,486 37,953

3%

661,651

749,143 87,492

13%

855,303

947,074 91,771

11%

1,516,954

1,696,217 179,263

12%

420,951

467,710 46,759

11%

505,050

553,134 48,084

10%

926,001

1,020,844 94,843

10%

189,008

226,995 37,987

20%

250,876

296,975 46,099

18%

439,884

523,970 84,086

19%

51,692

54,438 2,746

5%

99,377

96,965 -2,412

-2%

151,069

151,403

334

<1%

Licensed Drivers *

2019

2023

Change Number Percent

607,225 633,086

25,861

4%

651,887 671,299

19,412

3%

1,259,112 1,304,385

45,273

4%

648,180 832,446 184,266 28%

736,334 943,037 206,703 28%

1,384,514 1,775,483 390,969 28%

414,869 480,573

65,704

16%

468,348 538,076

69,728

15%

883,217 1,018,649 135,432 15%

186,676 268,390

81,714

44%

212,520 305,792

93,272

44%

399,196 574,182 174,986 44%

46,635 83,483

36,848

79%

55,466 99,169

43,703

79%

102,101 182,652

80,551

79%

Total Age 55+ Years

Male Female Total

1,283,979 1,540,508 2,824,487

1,398,805 1,642,898 3,041,703

114,826 102,390 217,216

9% 1,255,405 1,465,532 210,127 17% 7% 1,388,221 1,614,336 226,115 16% 8% 2,643,626 3,079,868 436,242 17%

*Licensed drivers include all unexpired licenses, which may include individuals who are deceased. See data considerations for more information. Source: OASIS 2019 and 2023; DDS 2019 and 2023

2 Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services. State Fiscal Year 2017 Just the Facts (2017). Atlanta, GA: Department of Human Services. <https://aging.georgia.gov/document/document/just-facts-2017/download>. September 18, 2020.

Contributing Circumstances
In 2023, 91% of all crashes involving older drivers aged 65+ years also involved other vehicles (multivehicle crashes), and 9% were single-vehicle crashes. The most common 'most harmful event' for multi-vehicle crashes was collisions with other motor vehicles; for single-vehicle crashes was collision with a fixed object or animal (e.g., deer).
Angle crashes were the most common manner of collision in multi-vehicle crashes involving older drivers aged 65+ years. For fatal crashes, head-on collisions were the second-highest-ranking manner of collisions. The manner of collision is not vehicle-specific and does not identify which vehicle or driver was at fault. Table 4 below shows the highest-ranking manner of collision for multi-vehicle traffic, injury, and fatal crashes that involve older drivers aged 65+ years.

Table 4. Highest Rank Manner of Collision for Multi-Vehicle Crashes Involving Older Drivers (65+ Years) by Crash Type, 2023

Rank

Fatal Crashes

Serious Injury Crashes

Traffic Crashes

Manner of Collision

% of crashes Manner of Collision

% of crashes Manner of Collision

% of crashes

1 Angle

54% Angle

49% Angle

36%

2

Head on (Front-to-front)

22%

*Not a collision with a motor vehicle

20%

Rear end (Front-to-rear)

35%

3

Rear end (Front-to-rear)

19%

Rear end (Front-to-rear)

Sideswipe 14% (Same or opposite
direction)

16%

Sideswipe
4 (Same or opposite direction)

3%

Head on (Front-to-front)

11%

*Not a collision with a motor vehicle

9%

* The first harmful event was not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport Source: FARS 2023, CODES 2023

Older drivers' reaction to objects or animals was the second top contributing factor among operators involved in single-vehicle crashes. In 2023, 16% of older drivers (65+ years) involved in single-vehicle crashes reacted to an object or animal moments before they crashed. The top contributing factor for single-vehicle crashes involving older drivers was recorded as `other' (23% of all older drivers in singlevehicle crashes). The top contributing factors among older drivers and other drivers involved in multivehicle crashes were following too closely and failure to yield (including left-hand turns). This does not imply that the older driver or other drivers caused the crash either by their actions or failure to act.

Table 5. Top Contributing Factors with Crashes Involving Older Drivers (65+ Years) by Number of Vehicles Involved and Person Type, 2023

Single Vehicle Crashes

Multi-Vehicle Crashes

Rank
1 2

Older Drivers (65+ Years)

Description

% of drivers

Other

23%

Reaction to an object or animal

16%

Older Drivers (65+ Years)

Description

% of drivers

Failed to yield

26%

Following too close

22%

Other Driver Description Following too close Failed to yield

% of drivers 32%
20%

3 Driver lost control

14% Improper passing

14% Improper passing

19%

4 Driver condition

10% Changed lanes improperly

12% Changed lanes improperly 11%

Source: CODES 2023 Percent calculations exclude crashes with unknown no contributing factors reported.

Environmental Characteristics
Table 6 summarizes the environmental characteristics of where and when fatal crashes and traffic crashes involving older drivers aged 65+ years occurred in 2023.
Fatal crashes and all traffic crashes involving older drivers have similar environmental characteristics, except for the predominant location of crashes. In 2023:
49% of all traffic crashes involving older drivers occurred at an intersection or intersection-related location, and 58% of all fatal crashes involving older drivers occurred at non-intersections.
Among the fatal crashes that involved older drivers:
65% occurred in daylight conditions;
68% occurred during the weekday, and 33% occurred during the weekday afternoon hours (12:00 p.m. to 5:59 p.m.); and
76% occurred in clear weather conditions.

Table 6. Motor Vehicle Crashes Involving Older Drivers (65+ Years) by Environmental Characteristics, 2023

Environmental Characteristics

Fatal Crashes Involving Older
Drivers
Number Percent

Location *
Intersection (or related)
Non-Intersection

100

35%

164

58%

Other

20

7%

Light Conditions

Dark

90

32%

Daylight

186

65%

Dawn

4

1%

Dusk

4

1%

Day of Week / Time of Day *

Weekday

192

68%

6:00-11:59am

43

15%

12:00-5:59pm

93

33%

6:00-11:59pm

41

14%

12:00-5:59am

15

5%

Weekend

92

32%

6:00-11:59am

16

6%

12:00-5:59pm

30

11%

6:00-11:59pm

37

13%

12:00-5:59am

9

3%

Weather Conditions

Clear

215

76%

Cloudy

44

15%

Rain

22

8%

Other

3

1%

Season

Winter

60

21%

Spring

70

25%

Summer

75

26%

Traffic Crashes Involving Older
Drivers
Number Percent

29,466 26,744
4,316
8,810 49,648
543 699
46,692 14,063 25,951
5,625 1,053 13,834 2,663 6,175 4,288
708
44,728 10,395
4,548 855
14,927 15,104 14,261

49% 44%
7%
15% 82%
1% 1%
77% 23% 43%
9% 2% 23% 4% 10% 7% 1%
74% 17%
8% 1%
25% 25% 24%

Fall

79

28%

Weekday 6:00 a.m. Monday to 5:59 p.m. Friday Weekend 6:00 p.m. Friday to 5:59 a.m. Monday Daytime 6:00 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. Nighttime 6:00 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.

16,234

27%

*See data considerations for definitions of intersection and non-intersection locations. Other intersections include roundabouts, railroad crossings, and manage lanes (i.e., HOV lanes).

Source: CODES 2023, FARS 2023

Traffic-Related Injuries and Fatalities among the Aging Population
In 2023, older persons aged 65+ years represented 8% of all emergency room visits (8,465 out of 103,147) and 21% of all hospitalizations (1,850 out of 8,695) related to motor vehicle traffic incidents. The total motor vehicle traffic-related hospitalization and emergency room charges among Georgia residents 65+ years were $358 million. In 2023, there were 509 persons aged 55 years or older (55+ years) fatally injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Over half of these traffic fatalities (51%, 259 out of 509) were persons aged 65 years and older (65+ years).

Table 7. Number, Percent, and Rate of All Motor Vehicle Traffic-Related Emergency Room Visits,

Hospitalizations, Suspected Serious Injuries, and Fatalities by Age Group, 2023

Age Group

Emergency Room Visits

Number

Percent of Total

Rate per 100,000 Population

Hospitalizations

Number

Percent of Total

Rate per 100,000 Population

Police Reported

Suspected Serious

Injuries

Number

Percent of Total

Rate per 100,000 Population

Traffic Fatalities

Number

Percent of Total

Rate per 100,000 Population

Less than 15

5,908

6% 286.4

92

1%

4.5

406

5%

19.7

48

3%

2.3

15-20 21-24

12,114 12% 1,298.7

721

10,404 10% 1,767.9

671

8%

77.3

991 12% 106.2

125

8% 114.0

791 10% 134.4

131

8%

13.4

8%

22.3

25-34 35-44

23,850 18,411

23% 1,564.3 18% 1,248.2

1,642 1,268

19% 15%

107.7 86.0

1,746 1,304

21% 16%

114.5 88.4

300

19%

19.7

281

17%

19.1

45-54

13,326

13%

949.2 1,200

14%

85.5 1,084

13%

77.2

214

13%

15.2

55-64

10,669

10%

792.9 1,251

14%

93.0

900

11%

66.9

250

15%

18.6

65+ 65-74 75-84

8,465 5,704 2,299

8% 499.1 1,850 21% 109.1

6% 558.8

970

11%

95.0

2% 438.8

663

8% 126.5

808

10%

47.6

507

6%

49.7

233

3%

44.5

259

16%

15.3

151

9%

14.8

89

6%

17.0

85+

462

0% 305.1

217

2% 143.3

68

1%

44.9

19

1%

12.5

Total

103,147 100%

935.2 8,695 100%

78.8 8,171* 100%

74.1 1,615* 100%

14.6

*Total includes serious injuries and fatalities with unreported or unknown age. Source: Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Health Indicators for Planning (OHIP) Hospital Inpatien

Discharge and Emergency Room Visit Data, CODES 2023, FARS 2023, OASIS 2023

The motor vehicle fatality rate for all person types -- drivers, passengers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and others-- per 100,000 population fluctuated between 2019 and 2023. Figure 6 compares the motor vehicle fatality rate among the older population between 2019 and 2023 in rural and urban counties. In 2023, the motor vehicle traffic fatality rate for all older age groups was higher in rural counties than in urban counties, except among persons 85+ years.
The motor vehicle traffic fatality rate in
rural counties increased for persons in the 55-to-64 and 75-to-84 age groups by 42% and 19%, respectively. The fatality rate among rural counties for persons 85+ years decreased by 68%.
The motor vehicle traffic fatality rate in
urban counties decreased for persons in the 75-to-84 and 85+ age groups by 31% and 40%, respectively.

Figure 6. Change in Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatality Rates by Age Group per 100,000 Population and Region Type (2019 and 2023)

Rural Counties (118 counties)

Urban Counties (41 counties)

55-64 75-84

65-74 85+

55-64 75-84

65-74 85+

85+, 22.0

33.3
30.9 75-84, 29.5

55-64, 30.5

85+, 18.9

65-74, 20.4

19.5

75-84, 15.9

65-74, 14.6

14.3

13.2

12.1

55-64, 14.7

12.7

11.8

2019

2023

Source: FARS 2019 and 2023; OASIS 2019 and 2023

2019

2023

Total motor vehicle traffic fatalities among persons 55+ years increased by 2% (from 498 fatalities in 2019 to 509 fatalities in 2023), and the 55+ population increased by 8%. Figure 7 and Table 8 show the proportion of older persons involved in traffic fatalities for 2019 and 2023.
The proportion of older driver fatalities aged 55+ years decreased from 37% of all driver fatalities in 2019
to 34% in 2023. Fatalities among drivers aged 65+ years decreased from 23% of all driver fatalities in 2019 to 18% of all driver fatalities in 2023. Older passenger fatalities also decreased, from 20% of all passenger fatalities in 2019 to 17% in 2023.
Older motorcyclist fatalities (operator and passenger) aged 55+ years, though a relatively small number,
decreased slightly from 22% of all motorcyclist fatalities in 2019 to 21% of all motorcyclist fatalities in 2023. Additionally, 25% of all motorcyclists with a valid motorcycle designation (Class M or MP) on their driver's license were 55-to-64 years old, and 29% were 65+ years old in 2023 (Motorcycles Georgia Traffic Safety Facts, 2023 )
Older pedestrian fatalities aged 55+ years decreased from 36% of all pedestrian fatalities in 2019 to 31%
of all pedestrian fatalities in 2023.
Between 2019 and 2023, the number of older bicyclist fatalities increased from 8 to 12, from 38% to 50%
of all bicyclist fatalities (Pedestrians and Bicyclists (Non-Motorists) Georgia Traffic Safety Facts, 2023 ).

Figure 7: Proportions of All Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities by Person Type and Age Group, 2019 and 2023

50%

55-64

65-74

75-84

85+

40%

30%

8%

20%

11%

10%

14%

0%

2019

7% 9% 16%
2023

7% 8% 7%
2019

5% 10% 12%
2023

12% 11% 2019

8% 12% 2023

2% 10%
23%
2019

4% 10%
17%
2023

5% 33% 2019

13% 4% 35%
2023

Driver

Passenger

Motorcyclist

Pedestrian

Bicyclist

Table 8: Proportions of All Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities by Person Type and Age Group, 2019 and 2023

2019

2023

Person Type

Age Group

Age Group

Total

Less than 55

55-64

65-74

75-84

85+

Total

Less than 55

55-64

65-74

75-84

85+

Driver Fatalities

801 504 113

92

65

27 833 551 135

74

61

12

100%

63% 14%

11%

8%

3% 100% 66% 16%

9%

7%

1%

Passenger

249

182

18

21

18

10 243 171

30

25

11

6

Fatalities

100%

73%

7%

8%

7%

4% 100% 70% 12% 10%

5%

2%

Motorcyclist

170

132

18

20

--

-- 196 155

23

16

2

--

Fatalities

100%

78% 11%

12%

--

-- 100% 79% 12%

8%

1%

--

Pedestrian

236

152

54

24

4

2 310 213

52

32

12

1

Fatalities

100%

64% 23%

10%

2%

1% 100% 69% 17% 10%

4% <1%

Bicyclist

21

13

7

1

--

--

23

11

8

1

3

--

Fatalities

100%

62% 33%

5%

--

-- 100%

48%

35%

4% 13%

--

Other

15

11

2

2

--

--

10

5

2

3

--

--

Fatalities*

100%

73% 13%

13%

--

-- 100%

50%

20% 30%

--

--

All Traffic

1,492

994 212

160

87

39 1,615 1,106 250 151

89

19

Fatalities** 100%

67% 14%

11%

6%

3% 100% 68% 15%

9%

6%

1%

*Other fatalities include persons on personal conveyances, unknown occupant type in a motor vehicle in-transport, and persons in/on buildings.

**All traffic fatalities include persons with unknown ages

Source: FARS 2019 and 2023

Older Pedestrian Population
In 2023, pedestrians aged 65+ years represented 9% of all pedestrians involved in crashes (274 out of 2,957), 10% of all pedestrian serious injuries (57 out of 564), and 15% of all pedestrian fatalities (45 out of 308). Persons aged 65+ years continuously represent 15% of the Georgia population in 2023; however, there was a 3% increase in the 65+ population (approximately 51,000 more persons) compared to the previous year. As shown in Table 9, the number of pedestrians 65+ years of age that were seriously or fatally injured increased by 17% (from 87 in 2022 to 102 in 2023), and the rate of seriously or fatally injured pedestrians 65+ years increased by 13% (from 5.29 in 2022 to 6.01 in 2023). Table 10 shows the number, percent, and rate of serious injuries reported for each injury surveillance source for the older pedestrian population aged 55 years and older.

Table 9. Older Pedestrian (Aged 65+ Years) Serious Injuries, Fatalities, and Injury Rate, 2019-2023

Year

Serious Injury

Fatalities

Total Serious

Injuries and

Fatalities

Number

Annual % Change

Population

Number

Annual % Change

Rate Per 100,000 Population

Rate

Annual % Change

2019

33

29

62

-3%

1,516,954

4%

4.09

-5%

2020

38

42

80

29%

1,574,667

4%

5.08

22%

2021

47

48

95

19%

1,584,071

1%

6.00

18%

2022

43

44

87

-7%

1,645,027

4%

5.29

-12%

2023

57

45

102

17%

1,696,217

3%

6.01

13%

Source: CODES 2019-2022, 2023 CODES Preliminary Fatality Data, FARS 2019-2022, OASIS 2019-2023

Table 10. Older Pedestrian (Aged 65+ Years) Traffic-Related Serious Injuries, Percent of Total Serious Injuries, and Rate by Age Group and Injury Surveillance Source, 2023

Age Group

Police-Reported Suspected Serious
Crash Injuries

Emergency Medical Services

Trauma Center Emergency Room

#

Less than 55

415

55-64 80

% 74% 14%

Rate #

% Rate #

5.20 1,901 74% 19.99 768

5.95 366 14% 27.20 186

% Rate #

% Rate

71% 9.61 1,365 78% 17.09

17% 13.82 129 7% 12.64

65-74 34 6% 3.33 224 9% 21.94 82 8% 8.03 52 3% 9.92 75-84 17 3% 3.24 61 2% 11.64 37 3% 7.06 7 0% 4.62

85+

6 1% 3.96 18 1% 11.89 10 1% 6.60 129 7% 12.64

*Total 564** 100% 5.11 2,570 100% 23.30 1,083 100% 9.82 1,749 100%
* Only suspected serious injuries reported by law enforcement on the crash report. ** Total includes 12 suspected serious injuries with unknown age. Source: CODES 2023, DPH-OHIP Hospital Inpatient Discharge and Emergency Room Visit Only Data 2023, GEMSIS 2023

15.86

Hospitalizations

#

% Rate

424 64% 5.31

54 8% 5.29 31 5% 5.92 13 2% 8.59 54 8% 5.29 664 100% 6.02

Data Definitions and Considerations:
Persons 55-to-64 years old and persons 65 years or older are considered part of the "older drivers" population particularly in relation to population, drivers, motor vehicle occupants, and non-motorists. The involvement of older drivers in traffic crashes, serious injury crashes, and fatal crashes does not imply that older drivers caused the crash either by their actions or failure to act.
A traffic crash is defined as an incident that involved one or more motor vehicles where at least one vehicle was in transport and the crash originated on a public trafficway, such as a road or highway. Crashes that occurred on private property, including parking lots and driveways, are excluded.
Fatal crashes are defined as crashes that involve a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and that resulted in the death of a motorist or a non-motorist within 30 days of the crash.
Serious injuries are those suspected serious injuries reported by law enforcement and used when any injury, other than a fatal injury, prevents the injured person from walking, driving, or normally continuing the activities the person was capable of before the injury occurred.
Passenger vehicles are defined as passenger cars, light trucks (including vans), utility vehicles, and pickup trucks.
"At Intersection" is used when a person or driver is on a roadway either (1) in the intersection, (2) in the area between a crosswalk and the perimeter of the intersection, or (3) in a crosswalk (marked or unmarked) adjacent to an intersection. "Intersection-Related" is used when a person is within the trafficway 50 feet out from the perimeter of an intersection area or if the crash is related to the flow of traffic through an intersection. "Not at Intersection" is when the person is more than 50 feet out from the perimeter of an intersection, and the crash is not identified as related to the movement of vehicles through an intersection. "Non-Trafficway Locations" are crashes that occur outside the boundaries of the trafficway (i.e., driveways or parking lots).
The Department of Driver Services provided licensing data for the year 2023. The driver licensing database is a live database system and represents the information at a point in time on the date of extraction.
Contributing circumstances capture the pre-crash elements or improper actions of persons (motorcycle operators, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists) that may have caused the crash. Contributing factors in fatal and nonfatal crashes are often underreported in the datasets. There is at least one record per person involved in a fatal crash (FARS Data) and some missing records for persons involved in motor vehicle traffic crashes (Crash Data).

For More Information:
The two-page Quick Facts for Drivers Aged 55+ Years can be found on the GOHS or DPH websites below: https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/gtsf-quick-facts/ https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/georgia-traffic-safety-
facts/ https://dph.georgia.gov/health-topics/injury-prevention-
program/crash-outcome-data-evaluation-system-codes
Other 2023 traffic safety facts are available online at the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety and Crash Outcomes Data Evaluation Systems (CODES): NonMotorist (Pedestrians and Bicyclists), Motorcycle Safety, Young Adult Drivers, Distracted Drivers, Risky Driving, Large Trucks, and Occupant Protection.

The suggested APA format citation for this document is:
Georgia Crash Outcomes Data Evaluation System. (2025, September). Older Drivers: 2023 data. (Georgia Traffic Safety Facts). Atlanta, GA: Governor's Office of Highway Safety.