Georgia Traffic Safety Facts
2023 Data
April 2025 In this fact sheet, information is presented as follows.
Non-Motorist Fatalities and Serious Injuries
Crash Characteristics - Urban vs. Rural - Census Designated Places - Environmental Characteristics - Fatal Non-Motorist Crashes
Contributing Circumstances - School Bus-Related Fatal Crashes
Demographics - Older Pedestrian Population - Vulnerable Populations
Safety Equipment & Protective Gear
Personal Conveyances
This fact sheet contains information from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) crash data modified by Crash Outcomes Data Evaluation System (CODES) at the Department of Public Health (DPH), Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Numetric roadway data, Georgia Emergency Medical Services Information System (GEMSIS), Hospital Discharge Data, and Emergency Room Data. Refer to the Data Considerations section at the end of this publication regarding the data and information presented.
Pedestrians and Bicyclists
(Non-Motorists)
Non-motorists, as defined in this fact sheet, include pedestrians and bicyclists involved in traffic-related crashes. In some of the following discussions of pedestrian and bicyclist injuries both traffic and non-traffic (i.e., occurring on any place other than a traffic way including trails, driveways, parking lots, or sidewalks) are included in aggregate reporting for hospitalizations and EMS transports. This fact sheet provides an overview of traffic fatalities, serious injuries, and crashes on Georgia roadways.
2023 Key Findings
Although pedestrians and bicyclists represented less than one percent of all individuals involved in motor vehicle crashes (0.99%), they accounted for 20% of all traffic fatalities.
Pedestrians
Between 2014 and 2023, the total number of traffic-related fatalities increased by 39% (from 1,164 to 1,615), while pedestrian fatalities increased by 90% (from 163 to 310). Most notably, the number of pedestrian fatalities that occur in dark lighting conditions has more than doubled in the past decade (from 123 to 251).
Similar to previous years, more than half of all pedestrian crashes occurred within the Atlanta region (58%).
In 2023, nearly three-quarters of pedestrian fatalities (72%) and nearly half (47%) of pedestrian injuries occurred on roadways with posted speed limits at or above 45 mph.
In 2023, hospitalization and emergency room visit charges totaled $203 million for the 3,445 pedestrians injured in motor vehicle traffic and nontraffic-related crashes.
Governor's Office of Highway Safety
7 MLK Jr Dr SE Suite #643 Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-6996 www.gahighwaysafety.org
Bicyclists There was an average of 24 bicyclist fatalities in traffic crashes each year
between 2019 and 2023. In 2023, there were 23 bicyclist fatalities on Georgia roadways, a decrease from the 29 bicyclist fatalities in 2022. The bicyclist crash rate is highest in urban counties outside of the Atlanta region. Sixty percent of bicyclist crashes occur at intersections. Hospitalization and emergency room visit charges totaled $68 million for the 467 bicyclists injured in motor vehicle traffic and 3,706 non-trafficrelated crashes.
Non-Motorist Fatalities and Serious Injuries
Non-Motorist Fatalities
According to FARS data, there were 310 pedestrians and 23 bicyclists fatally injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023 (Table 1). The number of pedestrian fatalities in traffic crashes decreased by 10%, from 345 in 2022 to 310 in 2023. There was an average of 24 bicyclist fatalities in traffic crashes per year between 2019 and 2023.
Although non-motorists represented less than one percent of all persons involved in motor vehicle crashes (0.99%), they accounted for 20% of all traffic fatalities in Georgia. For every 100,000 population in Georgia, there were 3.02 pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities, compared to 2.59 non-motorist fatalities for every 100,000 population nationwide (21% of all national traffic fatalities)1. Figure 1 shows the rate by population and percentage of non-motorist traffic fatalities for the past decade.
Figure 1. Rate by Population and Percent of Non-Motorist Traffic Fatalities, 2014-2023
Rate per 100,000 Population
Percent of All Traffic Fatalities
5.0 0
20%
16% 15%
10%
1.80
5%
15% 2.12
17% 2.53
17% 2.57
19% 2.78
17% 2.42
19% 2.90
18% 2.98
21% 3.43
4.5 0
21% 4.0 0
3.5 0
3.0 0
3.02 2.50
2.0 0
1.5 0
1.0 0
0.5 0
0%
0.0 0
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Source: FARS 2014-2023; OASIS 2014-2023
Table 1 presents the total number of traffic fatalities, Georgia population, and non-motorist fatalities (pedestrians and bicyclists) from 2014 to 2023.
The number of total traffic fatalities decreased by 10%, from 1,797 in 2022 to 1,615 in 2023.
The number of non-motorist fatalities decreased by 11%, from 374 in 2022 to 333 in 2023.
The rate of non-motorist fatalities decreased by 12%, from 3.43 fatalities per 100,000 population (the highest rate in the past decade) in 2022 to 3.02 in 2023.
Table 1. Rate and Percent of Non-Motorist Traffic Fatalities, 2014-2023
Year
Total
Traffic Fatalities
Georgia Population
Pedestrian
Number
Percent of All
Traffic Fatalities
Bicyclist
Number
Percent of All
Traffic Fatalities
2014 1,164
10,097,343
163
14%
19
1.6%
2015 1,432
10,214,860
194
14%
23
1.6%
2016 1,556
10,310,371
232
15%
29
1.9%
2017 1,540
10,429,379
253
16%
15
1.0%
2018 1,504
10,519,475
262
17%
30
2.0%
2019 1,491
10,617,423
236
16%
21
1.4%
2020 1,664
10,710,017
279
17%
32
1.9%
2021 1,809
10,799,566
307
17%
15
0.8%
2022 1,797
10,912,876
345
19%
29
1.6%
2023 1,615
11,029,227
310
19%
23
1.4%
Source: FARS 2014-2023, OASIS 2014-2023
Non-Motorists Fatalities
Number 182
Percent of
All Traffic Fatalities
16%
Rate
per 100,000 Population
1.80
217
15%
2.12
261
17%
2.53
268
17%
2.57
292
19%
2.78
257
17%
2.42
311
19%
2.90
322
18%
2.98
374
21%
3.43
333
21%
3.02
1 2023 Census
Non-Motorist Injuries
The following section describes various responses to serious injuries experienced by pedestrians and bicyclists involved in motor vehicle traffic crashes and non-traffic crash incidents. Injured pedestrians and bicyclists can be counted multiple times for each response (e.g., an injured person may be counted as an emergency room visit, hospitalization, and/or trauma center patient).
Table 2. Description of Traffic Injury Surveillance Data Sources
Traffic Injury Surveillance Data Sources
Suspected Serious Crash Injuries are reported by law enforcement responding to a motor vehicle crash scene.
Emergency Medical Services include all ground and air transports to an emergency facility for patients who are injured and require medical care in the state of Georgia. Trauma Center patients are identified as those with serious injuries that meet specific criteria. The State of Georgia follows the identification and treatment guidelines established by the American College of Surgeons along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Field Triage Criteria.
Emergency Room and Hospitalizations include Georgia resident discharges from Georgia non-federal acute care hospitals. Emergency room (ER) visits include individuals who were discharged directly from the ER. Hospitalizations include individuals who may have visited the emergency room.
Table 3 shows the number and percent change of non-motorist, motor vehicle traffic-related injuries for each injury surveillance source. Between 2022 and 2023, pedestrian serious injuries reported in crash reports decreased by 7%, pedestrians transported to a hospital facility by EMS increased by 3%, pedestrian receiving care in a trauma center increased by 6%, pedestrians receiving patient care in the emergency department increased by 11%, and pedestrians receiving patient care in a hospital decreased by 2%.
Table 3. Non-Motorist Motor Vehicle Traffic-Related Injuries by Injury Surveillance Source, 2021-2023
Injury Surveillance Source
2021
2022
2023
Pedestrians Bicyclists Pedestrians Bicyclists Pedestrians Bicyclists
2022-2023 Percent Change
Pedestrians
Bicyclists
Crash Reports*
572
95
608
120
564
117
-7%
-3%
Emergency Medical Services**
2,579
392
2,194
554
2,261
309
3%
-44%
Trauma
1,084
205
1,030
196
1,087
275
6%
40%
Emergency Department***
2,356
413
1,688
351
1,879
404
11%
15%
Hospital***
701
63
749
79
732
101
-2%
28%
* Only suspected serious injuries reported by law enforcement on the crash report. ** EMS arrivals to motor vehicle traffic crashes with reported serious injuries and fatalities may or may not have resulted in transport to a medical facility. *** All persons involved in a Georgia crash who received care in a Georgia Emergency Department or Hospital, regardless of their state residency. Source: CODES 2021-2023, DPH Hospital Inpatient Discharge and Emergency Room Visit Data 2021-2023, GEMSIS 2021-2023, Georgia Trauma Registry 2021-2023
Table 4 shows the number, proportion, and rate (per population) of non-motorist serious injuries by age group and surveillance system. In 2023, non-motorists in the 35-to-44 age group represented the highest rate of police-reported suspected serious injuries compared to other age groups. Non-motorists in the 25-to-34 age group represented the highest rate and proportion of EMS transports, trauma center treatment, and emergency room visits. However, non-motorists in the 55-to-64 age group had the highest proportion and rate per population of hospitalizations.
Table 4. Non-Motorist Traffic-Related Injuries, Percent of Total Serious Injuries, and Rate per 100,000 Population by Age Group and Injury Surveillance Source, 2023
Age Group
Police-Reported Suspected Serious
Crash Injuries*
Number Percent Rate
<10
18 3% 1.35
10-14
34 5% 4.65
15-24 121 18% 7.95
15-20
59
9% 6.33
Emergency Medical Services
Trauma Center
Number Percent 98 4% 99 4% 462 18%
263 10%
Rate Number 7.36 37 13.54 41 30.37 199
28.20 106
Percent 3% 3% 15%
8%
Rate 2.78 5.61 13.08
11.36
Emergency Room
Hospitalizations
Number Percent
78
4%
69
3%
427 20%
220
10%
Rate Number Percent
5.86 4
1%
9.43 5
1%
28.07 105 14%
23.59 46
6%
Rate 0.30 0.68 6.90
4.93
21-24
62
9% 10.54 199
25-34 125 18% 8.20 511
35-44 124 18% 8.41 425
45-54
83 12% 5.91 306
55-64 101 15% 7.51 366
65+
62 9% 3.66 303
8% 33.82 93
20% 33.52 253 17% 28.81 235 12% 21.80 184 14% 27.20 243 12% 17.86 165
7% 15.80
207
19% 16.59 471
17% 15.93 366
14% 13.11 262
18% 18.06 247
12% 9.73 209
10% 35.18 59
22% 30.89 122 17% 24.81 121 12% 18.66 121 12% 18.36 160 10% 12.32 113
8%
16% 16% 16% 21% 15%
10.03
8.00 8.20 8.62 11.89 6.66
Total** 681 100%* 6.17 2,570 100% 23.30 1,362 100% 12.35 2,283 100% 20.70 833
* Only suspected serious injuries reported by law enforcement on the crash report. ** Total inlcudes non-motorists with unknown ages. Source: CODES 2023, DPH-OHIP Hospital Inpatient Discharge and Emergency Room Visit Only Data 2023, GEMSIS 2023, Georgia Trauma Registry 2023
100% 7.55
Suspected Serious Crash Injuries
Table 5 shows the percentage and rate of serious injuries and fatalities among pedestrians and bicyclists involved in traffic-related crashes by age groups. In 2023, there were:
11.59 pedestrians in the 34-to-44 age group with traffic-related serious or fatal injuries for every 100,000 population in that age group.
2.37 bicyclists in the 35-to-44 age group with traffic-related serious or fatal injuries for every 100,000 population in that age group.
Table 5. Traffic-Related Non-Motorist Suspected Serious Injury and Fatality Rate by Age Group, 2023
Age Group
<10 10-14 15-24
15-20
Pedestrian Serious Injuries and Fatalities
Number Percent Rate
22
3%
1.65
34
4%
4.65
129 15%
8.48
66
8%
7.08
Bicyclist Serious Injuries and Fatalities
Number Percent
Rate
4
3%
0.30
4
3%
0.55
25 18%
1.64
13
9%
1.39
21-24
63
7%
10.71
12
9%
2.04
25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+
158 18%
10.36
11
8%
0.72
171 20%
11.59
35 25%
2.37
112 13%
7.98
22 16%
1.57
132 15%
9.81
29 21%
2.16
102 12%
6.01
9
6%
0.53
Total*
874 100%
7.92
140 100%
1.27
* Total includes 12 pedestrian and 1 bicyclist with serious injuries, and 2 pedestrian fatalities of unknown age Source: CODES 2023, FARS 2023
Emergency Medical Services
In 2023, 4% of all motor vehicle traffic-related Emergency Medical Services (EMS) transports involved non-motorists. EMS transported 2,570 pedestrians and bicyclists involved in motor vehicle trafficrelated crashes to a hospital facility. The number of EMS pedestrian transports decreased by 6% from the 2,748 transports in 2022.
Trauma Center Patients
In 2023, the number of pedestrians identified as trauma patients treated within Georgia Trauma Centers increased by 6%, from 1,030 in 2022 to 1,087 in 2023. The number of bicyclist trauma patients increased by 40%, from 196 in 2022 to 275 in 2023. Seventy-nine percent (79%) of all pedestrian trauma injuries (858 out of 1,087) were traffic-related, and 21% (229 out of 1,087) were non-traffic related. Nearly a quarter of all bicyclist trauma injuries (74%, 203 out of 275) were traffic-related. Ninety percent (90%) of pedestrian traffic-related injuries and 87% of bicyclist traffic-related injuries occurred in urban counties.
Nearly one-third (34%) of pedestrian trafficrelated injuries treated at the trauma centers had minor injuries, and 18% had very severe injuries. Similarly, 42% of bicyclist trafficrelated injuries treated at trauma centers had minor injuries, and 12% had very severe injuries (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Trauma Registry Pedestrian and Bicyclist Injuries Treated by Injury Severity Score, 2023
Minor Moderate Severe Very Severe
Bicyclist (n=271)
42%
32% 14%12%
Pedestrian (n=1,071) 34%
31% 17% 18%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Source: Georgia Trauma Registry 2023 Based on known Injury Severity Score
Emergency Room Visits & Hospitalizations
In 2023, the total motor vehicle-related (traffic and non-traffic) hospitalization and emergency room charges among Georgia residents were $203.2 million for pedestrians and $68.0 million for bicyclists.
Traffic-related pedestrian emergency room visits and hospitalizations increased by 9%, and bicyclist emergency room visits and hospitalizations increased by 16% between 2022 and 2023. In 2023, there were 2,413 traffic-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations2 involving pedestrians and 467 traffic-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations involving bicyclists.
Non-traffic-related pedestrian emergency room visits and hospitalizations decreased by 5%, and bicyclist emergency room visits and hospitalizations increased by 6% between 2022 and 2023. There were an additional 1,032 pedestrian and 3,706 bicyclist non-traffic-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
2 Hospitalizations may include individuals that visited the emergency room. Emergency room visits include individuals who were discharged directly from the ER. Hospitalizations and emergency room visits are for Georgia residents only to calculate the population rates, while fatalities can be a person from out of state.
Crash Characteristics
According to police crash reports, 31% of all pedestrian crashes in Georgia (865 out of 2,814) resulted in at least one pedestrian being seriously or fatally injured in 2023. In the same year, 15% of all bicyclist crashes (140 out of 921) resulted in at least one bicyclist being seriously or fatally injured. Table 6 shows the number of non-motorist crashes and the number of non-motorist crashes that resulted in a serious or fatal injury between 2019 and 2023.
Urban vs. Rural 3
There were 25.51 pedestrians per 100,000 population and 8.35 bicyclists per 100,000 population involved in a motor vehicle traffic crash across the state of Georgia (Figure 3). In Georgia, non-motorist crashes are more frequent in the urban areas (the Atlanta region and other urban regions) compared to rural areas, where the residential population is less than 50,000 people per county. However, the proportion of non-motorist serious injury and fatal crashes are higher in rural areas than in urban areas--43% of pedestrian rural crashes and 24% of rural bicyclist crashes result in a non-motorist fatal or serious injury (Table 7). Pedestrian crashes and crash rates were
highest within the eleven counties of the Atlanta Region4 32.22 pedestrians per 100,000 population.
The Atlanta Region accounted for 46% of the state population. However, 58% (1,638 out of 2,814) of all pedestrian crashes, 60% (336 out of 561) of all pedestrian serious injuries, and 48% (145 out of 304) of all pedestrian fatal injuries occurred within this area.
Bicyclist crashes and crash rates were highest within the 30 other urban counties 11.10 bicyclists per 100,000 population.
Table 6. Non-Motorist Crashes and Serious Injury and Fatal Crashes, 2019-2023
Year 2019
Pedestrian
Crashes
Serious Injury and Fatal Crashes
2,986
613
Bicyclist
Crashes
Serious Injury and Fatal Crashes
793
108
2020 2,332+
625
654+
100
2021 2,615
846
731
109
2022 2,777
943
829
153
2023 2,814
865
921
140
+ During the COVID-19 public emeregency response, traffic crashes (including non-motorist crashes) with low injury severity were underreported in the police crash reports. Source: CODES 2019-2022, FARS 2018-2023
Table 7. Number of Non-Motorist Crashes and Percent of Fatal or Serious Injury Crashes by Region, 2023
Region
Atlanta Region (11 counties) Other Urban (30 counties) Rural Counties (118 counties) Statewide
Pedestrian Crashes
All
Fatal or Serious
Pedestrian Injury Pedestrian
Crashes
Crashes
1,638
484 (30%)
915
270 (30%)
261 2,814
111 (43%) 865 (31%)
Source: CODES 2023, 2023 FARS
Bicyclist Crashes
All Bicyclist Crashes
Fatal or Serious Injury Bicyclist
Crashes
430
52 (12%)
406
68 (17%)
85
20 (24%)
921
140 (15%)
Figure 3. Pedestrian and Bicyclist Crash Rate per 100,000 Population by Region Type, 2023
Pedestrian Crash Rate
25.51
32.22
Bicyclist Crash Rate 25.02
8.35
8.46
11.10 11.40
3.71
STATEWIDE Atlanta Region Other Urban Rural Counties
Source: CODES 2023, OASIS 2023
3 Rural counties are counties that have a residential population less than 50,000 persons. This is different than roadway classifications where urban road systems can be located in urban clusters (or metropolitan areas) of at least 2,500 persons within the rural counties. 4 The Atlanta Region includes the eleven counties that are defined by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC): Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties.
Table 8 shows the percentage of pedestrian and bicyclist crashes by region and roadway classification in 2023. More than half of all pedestrian crashes (58%) and 46% of bicyclist crashes occurred in the Atlanta region. Statewide, most pedestrian crashes and bicyclist crashes occurred on minor arterial roadways -- 36% and 32%, respectively.
In the Atlanta region and other urban regions, more pedestrian crashes occurred on minor arterial roadways -- 40% and 31%, respectively.
Within the Atlanta region, 16% of pedestrian fatalities (26 out of 158) occurred on the interstate (not shown).
Table 8. Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes Involving Non-Motorists by Region and Roadway Classification, 2023
Non-Motorist Type Roadway Classification
Atlanta Region
Other Urban Counties
Rural Counties
Statewide
Interstate Pedestrian Principal Arterial
3% 22%
3% 29%
5% 28%
Minor Arterial
40%
31%
26%
Collectors
11%
13%
17%
Local
22%
23%
20%
Other
2%
2%
4%
Total
1,638 (100%)
915 (100%)
261 (100%)
Bicyclist
Interstate Principal Arterial
-23%
-28%
-21%
Minor Arterial
36%
31%
22%
Collectors
14%
16%
28%
Local
24%
24%
28%
Other
3%
2%
0%
Total
430 (100%)
406 (100%)
85 (100%)
Source: Roadway data obtained for Numetric, 2023
Note: The sum of the individual cells may not equal row or column totals due to rounding error.
3% 25% 36% 12% 22%
2% 2,814 (100%)
-25% 32% 16% 24%
2% 921 (100%)
In 2023, 70 out of 159 Georgia counties experienced at least one non-motorist traffic fatality. The counties with the highest number of pedestrian fatalities were Dekalb (55 pedestrian fatalities), Fulton (32), and Cobb (18). While most pedestrian fatalities occurred in the Atlanta region, other urban counties and rural counties have higher rates of pedestrian serious and fatal injury per population and pedestrian crashes for every 1,000 motor vehicle crashes. Most bicyclist fatalities occurred in the Atlanta region and other urban counties (i.e., Floyd and Chatham counties). In 2023, these other urban areas also had higher rates of bicyclist serious and fatal injuries per population and bicyclist crashes for every 1,000 motor vehicle crashes compared to rural areas.
Table 9. Top Counties with the Highest Non-Motorist Serious Injury and Fatal Crashes, 2023
Non-Motorist Type and Rank
Serious Injuries and Fatalities Count
County
Number
Serious and Fatal Injury Rate
per 100,000 Population
County
Rate
Non-Motorists Crash Rate
per 100,000 MV Crashes
County
Rate
Pedestrian
1 Fulton 2 DeKalb
164 DeKalb 136 Fulton
17.82 Camden 15.20 Walker
593.47 518.13
3 Cobb
53 Clarke
14.62 Polk
483.09
4 Gwinnett
49 Richmond
14.60 Spalding
392.93
5 Clayton
42 Clayton
14.08 Clarke
387.68
Bicyclist
1 Fulton 2 Chatham
19 Floyd 17 Chatham
5.99 Floyd 5.60 Chatham
180.83 121.44
3 Richmond
10 Richmond
4.87 Richmond
117.77
4 Gwinnett
10 Fulton
1.76 Clayton
37.94
5 DeKalb
7 Clayton
1.68 Fulton
35.85
* * Counties with less than five pedestrian or bicyclist serious injuries or fatalities were excluded from the county rankings Source: CODES 2023, 2023 FARS
Census Designated Places
To identify serious and fatal pedestrian traffic-related injuries within a local context, an analysis was conducted by overlaying Census Designated Places (CDPs) onto the geographic locations of pedestrian crashes. According to the 2023 Census, there were 623 census-designated places (CDPs) in Georgia.5 Eighty-four (84) out of the 623 census-designated places were unincorporated -- not governed by a municipal corporation (i.e., a city or town government). These Georgia CDPs, both incorporated and unincorporated, range in population size from large/medium cities (more than 200,000 population) to villages (less than 2,500 population). These CDPs often cross county borders. Therefore, in this analysis, the CDP is associated with the county that encompasses most of its geographical area. The Georgia CDPs were grouped by population: large and medium cities, large towns, medium towns, small towns, and villages; and the Georgia counties were grouped into regional categories to describe the demographic areas as Atlanta Region, Other Urban Region, and Rural Regions.6
Between 2021 and 2023, 41% of pedestrian serious and fatal crashes (1,115 out of 2,697) occurred in unincorporated areas. When the crashes were filtered by those that occurred in CDPs, 7% (93 out of 1,347) occurred in unincorporated CDPs, and 93% (1,254 out of 1,347) occurred in incorporated CDPs. The City of Atlanta had 364 pedestrian serious injuries and fatalities--the largest of any incorporated or unincorporated CDP in Georgia. This equates to approximately 71.26 pedestrian serious injuries and fatalities per 100,000 population-- 2.0 times greater than the overall Atlanta Region rate.
Table 10 shows the CDPs with the highest pedestrian serious injury and fatality rates (per 100,000 population) by region between 2021 and 2023.
College Park had the highest pedestrian injury rate (173.07 injuries per 100,000 population) compared to all other incorporated and unincorporated CDPs within the Atlanta Region (35.86)-- 4.8 times greater than the overall Atlanta Region rate.
Hiram had the highest pedestrian injury rate (130.77 injuries per 100,000 population) compared to all other CDPs within the Other Urban Regions (28.20)--4.6 times greater than the overall Other Urban Region rate.
Cedartown had the highest pedestrian injury rate (97.09 injuries per 100,000 population) compared to all other CDPs within the Rural Regions (24.07)--4.0 times greater than the overall Rural Region rate.
Table 11 shows the CDPs with the highest pedestrian serious injury and fatality rates (per 100,000 population) by place type between 2021 and 2023.
Stonecrest had the highest pedestrian injury rate (56.85 injuries per 100,000 population) compared to all other incorporated and unincorporated CDPs categorized as small cities (59.33)--1.9 times greater than the overall small city pedestrian injury rate.
Redan (unincorporated) had the highest pedestrian injury rate (59.16 injuries per 100,000 population) compared to all other CDPs categorized as large towns (22.75) -- 2.6 times greater
5 The U.S. Census Bureau defines a "place" as a concentration of population, which may or may not have legally established boundaries, powers, or governmental functions. Incorporated places, such as cities or towns, are created under state law and have legal status, defined boundaries, and local governments. In contrast, Census Designated Places (CDPs) are identified by the Census Bureau for statistical purposes based on factors such as population size, density, and geographic characteristics. 6 Rural counties are counties that have a residential population less than 50,000 persons. This is different than roadway classifications, where urban road systems can be located in urban clusters (or metropolitan areas) of at least 2,500 persons within the rural counties. The Atlanta Region includes the eleven counties that are defined by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC): Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties.
than the overall large town pedestrian injury rate. Panthersville (medium town), Belvedere Park (medium town, not shown in Table 11), and Redan (large town) have the highest pedestrian injury rates among all unincorporated CDPs. There were no small towns (2,501 to 5,000 population) or villages (less than 2,500 population) with more than five severe pedestrian injuries between 2021 and 2023.
See the "Additional Information" to access the Appendix for this document. The appendix includes the following information by region, county, and CDP: 2021-2023 pedestrian serious injury and fatality count 2023 Population 2021-2023 pedestrian serious injury and fatality rate per 100,000 population Ratio of CDP rates compared to regional rates
Table 10. CDPs with the Highest Pedestrian Serious Injury and Fatality Rates (per 100,000 population) by Region, 2021-2023
Region Type
Regional Pedestrian Injury Rate
per 100,000 Region Population
Census Designated
Place
Pedestrians Seriously or
Fatally Injured
CDP Pedestrian Injury Rate
per 100,000 CDP Population
Ratio
CDP Pedestrian Injury Rate / Regional
Pedestrian Injury Rate
College Park
24
173.07
4.8
* Panthersville
15
169.68
4.7
Atlanta Region
(11 counties)
35.86
* Belvedere Park Doraville
15
103.86
11
102.04
2.9 2.8
Jonesboro
6
97.72
2.7
Hiram
7
130.77
4.6
* Dock Junction
5
56.91
2.0
Other Urban
(30 counties)
28.20
Savannah Macon
84
56.85
2.0
82
52.39
1.8
Brunswick
8
51.93
1.8
Cedartown
10
97.09
4.0
Rural
(118 counties)
24.07
Thomson Americus Vidalia
5
72.89
3.0
11
70.05
2.9
6
55.86
2.3
Thomaston
5
50.63
2.1
Note: Census-Designated Places with less than five pedestrian serious injuries or fatalities were excluded from the city rankings; * Unincorporated Community and Census-
Designated Place; Source: 2021-2023 Numetric, 2023 Census
Table 10. CDPs with the Highest Pedestrian Serious Injury and Fatality Rates (per 100,000 population) by Place Type, 2021-2023
Place Type
Place Type Pedestrian Injury Rate
per 100,000 Region Population
CDP
Pedestrians Seriously or
Fatally Injured
CDP Pedestrian Injury Rate
per 100,000 CDP Population
Ratio
CDP Pedestrian Injury Rate / PlaceType Pedestrian
Injury Rate
Large and Medium Cities (More than 200,000 population), n=3 CDPs
Small City (50,001 to 200,000 pop.) n=16 CDPs
53.96 31.83
Atlanta Augusta
Columbus
Stonecrest Savannah Macon Brookhaven Marietta
364
71.3
1.3
65
32.4
0.6
64
31.7
0.6
36
59.33
1.9
84
56.85
1.8
82
52.39
1.6
30
51.77
1.6
29
46.20
1.5
* Redan
18
59.16
2.6
Large Town (20,001 to 50,000 pop.) n=41 CDPs
22.75
East Point Chamblee Tucker * Candler McAfee
22
57.72
2.5
17
53.39
2.3
19
51.39
2.3
10
46.91
2.1
College Park
24
173.07
5.9
Medium Town (5,001 to 20,000 pop.) n=109 CDPs
29.14
* Panthersville Hiram * Belvedere Park
15
169.68
5.8
7
130.77
4.5
15
103.86
3.6
Doraville
11
102.04
3.5
Note: Census-Designated Places with less than five pedestrian serious injuries or fatalities were excluded from the CDP rankings; * Unincorporated Community and Census-
Designated Place; There were no small towns (2,501 to 5,000 pop.) or villages (less than 2,500 pop.) with more than five (5) severe pedestrian injuries. The regional
pedestrian injury rate for small towns (n=88) was 17.62 and 14.94 for villages (n=366). Source: 2021-2023 Numetric, 2023 Census
Environmental Characteristics
Table 10 presents information on environmental characteristics (location of crashes, lighting conditions, day, and season) that describe where and when pedestrian and bicyclist crashes occurred in 2023.
Nearly half of the pedestrian crashes (45%) occurred at roadway locations that were not intersections, 45% occurred at intersections, 5% occurred on the roadside, and 2% occurred off-roadway.
More than one-fourth (27%) of all pedestrian crashes and 23% of all bicyclist crashes were hit-and-runs (not shown).
Half (50%) of the pedestrian crashes occurred in dark conditions, whereas 71% of bicyclist crashes occurred during daylight conditions. Most pedestrian and bicyclist crashes occur in the daytime hours during the weekday--41% and 50%, respectively.
Nearly one-third of pedestrian crashes (31%) occur in the fall months and 28% of bicyclist crashes occurred in the summer months (not shown).
Table 10. Motor Vehicle Crashes Involving Pedestrians and Bicyclists by Environmental Characteristics, 2023
Environmental Characteristics
All Pedestrian Crashes
Number Percent
All Bicyclist Crashes
Number Percent
Location *
Not at Intersection
1,280
45%
315
34%
On Roadway - NonIntersection
1,274
45%
295
32%
Bicycle Lane
6
<1%
20
2%
At Intersection
1,269
45%
554
60%
Roadway Intersection
744
26%
392
43%
In Crosswalk
369
13%
98
11%
Driveway Intersection
130
5%
56
6%
Entrance/Exit Ramp
22
1%
3
<1%
Railroad Crossing
2
<1%
1
<1%
Roundabout
2
<1%
4
<1%
Roadside
143
5%
12
1%
On Shoulder
91
3%
10
1%
Median
52
2%
2
<1%
Gore
80
3%
--
--
Off-Roadway
63
2%
34
4%
Off Roadway
13
<1%
17
2%
Sidewalk
4
<1%
17
2%
Other Location
42
1%
6
1%
Light Conditions
Dark
1,296
46%
240
26%
Daylight
1,395
50%
655
71%
Dawn
45
2%
11
1%
Dusk
45
2%
13
1%
Unknown
33
1%
2
<1%
Day of Week / Time of Day
Daytime
1,410
50%
603
65%
Weekday
1,167
41%
462
50%
Weekend
243
9%
141
15%
Nighttime
1,404
50%
318
35%
Weekday
699
25%
175
19%
Weekend
705
25%
143
16%
* Location does not include crashes with unknown locations. *** Other intersections include roundabouts,
railroad crossings, and managed lanes (i.e., HOV lanes). *** Nighttime and daytime groupings are based
on the time of day in hours. The time groupings do not account for the change in lighting conditions
associated with the seasons (i.e., longer daylight hours in the summer).
Daytime (6:00a.m. 5:59p.m.); Nighttime (6:00p.m. 5:59a.m.); Weekday (6:00a.m. Mon - 5:59p.m. Fri);
Weekend (6:00p.m. Fri - 5:59a.m. Mon)
Source: CODES 2023
Fatal Non-Motorist Crashes
Fatal non-motorist crashes demonstrate distinct environmental patterns compared to non-fatal motorist crashes. Historical trends consistently reveal that the majority of non-motorist fatal crashes occur at locations away from intersections and during dark lighting conditions. Over the past decade, more than three-quarters of all pedestrian fatal crashes have taken place outside intersections, and 80% occur during dark lighting conditions.
Between 2014 and 2023, the total number of traffic-related fatalities increased by 39% (from 1,164 to 1,615), while pedestrian fatalities increased by 90% (from 163 to 310). Most notably, the number of pedestrian fatalities that occur in dark lighting conditions has more than doubled in the past decade, from 123 in 2014 to 251 in 2023 (Figure 6). In 2023, 83% of all pedestrian fatalities (251 out of 310) occurred during dark lighting conditions.
Figure 4. Count of Pedestrian Fatalities by Light Conditions, 2014-2023
Dark Daylight Dusk/ Dawn/ Unknown
55
40
57
47
45
42
51
27
26
37
166
178
203
200
205
229
241
284
251
123
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Source: FARS 2014-2023
Roadway Characteristics
Another important environmental factor that impacts the severity of traffic-related crash injuries is roadway characteristics. According to an AAA national study7, as vehicle speeds increase, the risk of severe or fatal pedestrian injuries also increases. At low vehicle impact speeds, 15 miles per hour (mph) or below, most pedestrians (81%) that are struck do not sustain severe or fatal injuries--17% will have a severe injury, and 2% will have a fatal injury. The risk of injury to pedestrians increases significantly when the vehicle's impact speed exceeds 25 mph. According to this AAA study, a vehicle impact speed of 40 mph resulted in 79% of struck pedestrians sustaining severe injuries and 45% sustaining fatal injuries.
The national findings are similar to the patterns experienced in Georgia--the risk of pedestrian serious and fatal injuries increased significantly on roadways with posted speed limits at or above 45 mph. In 2023, 14% of crashes on roadways with a 40 mph speed limit led to fatalities. This percentage increases to 19% at 50 mph, 31% at 55 mph, and 42% at speeds of 60 mph or higher (Figure 5). Nearly three-quarters of pedestrian fatalities (72%) and nearly half (47%) of pedestrian injuries occurred on roadways with posted speed limits at or above 45 mph.
Figure 5. Percent of Pedestrian Crashes that Resulted in a Pedestrian Serious or Fatal Injury by Posted Speed Limit, 2023
% Serious Injury Crashes
60%
% Fatal Crashes
% of all Pedestrian Crashes
40%
20%
0%
15 20
Source: Numetric 2023
25 30 35 40 45 50 Posted Speed Limit (MPH)
55 60+
7 AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2011, "Impact Speed and a Pedestrian's Risk of Severe Injury or Death." Available online: https://nacto.org/wpcontent/uploads/2017/11/2011PedestrianRiskVsSpeed.pdf
According to Numetric, a greater proportion of all pedestrian serious injury or fatal crashes occurred on roadways with speed limits between 45-55 mph. Among all crashes where pedestrians were severely injured, 61% (505 out of 831) occurred on two-way, not-divided roadways. Figure 6 shows the percentage of all serious injury and fatal pedestrian crashes by trafficway and with known posted speed limit.
46% of severe pedestrian crashes that occurred on two-way undivided roadways had a posted speed limit of 45-55 mph.
58% of severe pedestrian crashes that occurred on two-way divided roadways had a posted speed limit of 45-55 mph.
Figure 6. Percent of All Serious Injury or Fatal Pedestrian Crashes by Trafficway and Posted Speed Limit, 2023
Under 25 mph 30-40 mph 45-55 mph 60 + mph
Two-way, Not Divided (n=505) 10%
44%
46%
Two-way, Divided (n=263) 3% 19%
58%
21%
One-way (n=47) 28%
40%
19% 13%
Note: 829 out of 858 serious injury and fatal pedestrian crashes had known posted speed limits. Source: Numetric 2023
Contributing Circumstances
Readers are encouraged to exercise caution when interpreting the contributing factors for pedestrianrelated traffic crashes. Contributing circumstances among individuals (drivers or pedestrians) involved in a pedestrian-related crash are underreported--87% of all pedestrian crashes had at least one contributing factor attributed to either the driver or pedestrian recorded in the crash report. Nearly onequarter (27%) of all pedestrian crashes were hit-and-runs; therefore, the driver contributing factors are unknown and unreported on the police crash reports. For fatal or serious injury pedestrian crashes, contributing factors were more likely to be included in the crash report--89% of all serious injury pedestrian crashes and 91% of all fatal pedestrian crashes have contributing factors listed.
Table 12 shows the top contributing factors among serious injury or fatal pedestrian crashes by the person involved in the crash. The top factors among drivers involved in pedestrian serious injury or fatal crashes were drivers failing to yield. The top contributing factor among pedestrians seriously or fatally injured in a crash was the failure to yield to oncoming traffic.
Table 12. Top Contributing Factors among Serious Injury or Fatal Pedestrian Crashes by Person Type, 2023
Drivers Contributing Factors Rank
Description
Pedestrians Contributing Factors Description
1 Driver failed to yield
Pedestrian failed to yield
2 Confirmed or suspected distracted driver
Confirmed distracted pedestrian
3 Speeding or aggressive driving
Pedestrian not visible
4
Driver vision was obscured, or the pedestrian was not visible
Disregard signage or traffic control
5 Under the influence of drugs and alcohol
Under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
Source: CODES 2023
Demographics
Sex & Age
The incident rate of male non-motorists involved in crashes was 2.5 times the female incident rates. The male non-motorist crash rate per 100,000 population was 45.1 compared to 18.3 for females. The male non-motorist serious injury rate was 8.9 compared to 2.9 for females. The male non-motorist fatality rate was 4.2 compared to 1.6 for females males were 2.6 times more likely to be fatally injured compared to females.
See the serious injury section and the cross-cutting highlight below (Older Pedestrian Population) for more information on pedestrian serious injuries and fatalities by age group.
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 12, 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 13 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 12. 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
30
63
-2%
1,516,954
4%
2020
38
42
80
27%
1,574,667
4%
2021
47
48
95
19%
1,584,071
1%
2022
43
44
87
-7%
1,645,027
4%
2023
57
45
102
17%
1,696,217
3%
Source: CODES 2019-2022, 2023 CODES Preliminary Fatality Data, FARS 2019-2022, OASIS 2019-2023
4.15 5.08 6.00 5.29 6.01
-5% 22% 18% -12% 13%
Table 13. Older Pedestrian (Aged 65+ Years) Traffic-Related Injuries, Percent of Total Injuries, and Rate (per 100,000 population) by Age Group and Injury Surveillance Source, 2023
Age Group
Police-Reported Suspected Serious
Crash Injuries*
Emergency Medical Services
Trauma Center Emergency Room Hospitalizations
#
% Rate
#
% Rate #
% Rate #
% Rate #
% Rate
Less than 55
415
74% 5.20 1,901 74% 19.99 768
71% 9.61 1,365 78% 17.09 424
64% 5.31
55-64 80 14% 5.95 366 14% 27.20 186 17% 13.82 129 7% 12.64 54 8% 5.29
65-74 34 6% 3.33 224 9% 21.94 82 8% 8.03 52 3% 9.92 31 5% 5.92
75-84 17 3% 3.24 61 2% 11.64 37 3% 7.06 7 0% 4.62 13 2% 8.59
85+
6 1% 3.96 18 1% 11.89 10 1% 6.60 129 7% 12.64 54 8% 5.29
Total 564** 100% 5.11 2,570 100% 23.30 1,083 100% 9.82 1,749 100% 15.86 664 100% 6.02
* 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
SCHOOL BUS-RELATED FATAL CRASHES
From 2019 to 2023, there were 22 fatal school bus-related crashes in Georgia, in which 24 people of all ages were fatally injured--two of whom were school-aged children under 18 years old.
Among the 2 school-age fatalities, 1 was an occupant of school transportation vehicles and 1 was a pedestrian. There were no fatalities among school-aged children in 2019 and 2020-- during the COVID-19 public health emergency response.
Of the 24 school bus-related fatalities, 1 was a school bus passenger, 3 were non-motorists, and 20 were occupants of other passenger vehicles involved in the school bus-related crash.
Pedestrian Race/Hispanic Origin
In 2023, Black/African American, Non-Hispanics represented the majority (44%) of pedestrians fatally injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes and 32% of the Georgia residential population compared to White, Non-Hispanics that represent 32% of pedestrian fatalities and 50% of the population (Table 14).
The Black/African American, NonHispanic pedestrian fatality rate was higher than any other race/ethnicity 3.81 per 100,000 population. The pedestrian fatality rate per population among Black/African American Non-Hispanic individuals is more than double (2.1 times) the pedestrian fatality rate experienced among White Non-Hispanics.
Table 14. Pedestrian Fatalities by Race/Hispanic Origin, 2023
Race / Hispanic Origin
Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black/African American, Non-Hispanic Asian, Non-Hispanic All Other Non-Hispanic or Race Unknown Race and Unknown Hispanic
Georgia Population
Percent of Total Population
11% 50%
32%
5%
2%
--
Pedestrian Fatalities
Number Percent
46
15%
99
32%
135
44%
3
1%
--
0%
27
9%
Rate
per 100,000 Population
3.74 1.81 3.81
** **
**
TOTAL
100%
310
100%
2.18
Note: Race and Hispanic origin are not available in crash records. Source: FARS 2023
Vulnerable Populations
Vulnerable populations are communities within specific geographic areas that may be vulnerable in their ability to respond and prepare for public health emergencies and disasters. Demographic factors such as the proportion of community members without vehicles, with disabilities, older adults, minority status, and low-income/socioeconomic status are measures and attributes of socially vulnerable communities.
According to the Georgia Traffic Safety Facts study called "Examining Social Vulnerability and the Association with Pedestrian Crashes" (Georgia Crash Outcomes Data Evaluation System, 2022 ), there is a positive correlation between vulnerable census tracts in Georgia and the rates of pedestrian serious and fatal injury crashes across the 10 counties of Atlanta region8, other urban regions, and rural regions. In other words, the more vulnerable a community is, the higher the rate of pedestrian serious and fatal injury crashes. This positive, significant relationship was present for overall social vulnerability (shown in Figure 7 for the Atlanta Region) as well as for socioeconomic status, household composition and disability, minority status and language, and housing type and transportation vulnerability themes.
Figure 7. Bivariate Map of Serious Injury and Fatal Pedestrian Crash Rates (per 100,000 census tract population) and Social Vulnerability Index in the Atlanta Region, by Overall Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and SVI Themes.
Dark purple census tracts are communities with high social vulnerability and high pedestrian serious and fatal injury crash rates.
Darker blue census tracts are communities with low social vulnerability and high pedestrian serious and fatal injury crash rates.
Source: Georgia Crash Outcomes Data Evaluation System. (2022, July). Examining Social Vulnerability and the Association with Pedestrian Crashes: 2016-2020 data. (Georgia Traffic Safety Facts). Atlanta, GA: Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
CDC's Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) data and other related sociodemographic variables can be leveraged to impartially assess roadway and public health concerns related to pedestrian safety. The findings from this research may encourage stakeholders to apply SVI assessments when implementing pedestrian safety efforts (i.e., engineering improvements, programmatic interventions, campaigning and education efforts, and other countermeasures to improve pedestrian safety).
8 The Atlanta Region includes the eleven counties that are defined by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC): Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties. In July 2021, Forsyth County officially joined ARC, becoming the 11th county member.
Safety Equipment & Protective Gear
Pedestrian Safety Equipment Use
Safety equipment for pedestrians includes clothing or materials that make the pedestrian more visible to others. This can include reflective gear and the use of lights at night or dusk when visibility is poor. Safety equipment use among pedestrians is a relatively new field in police crash reports, and in 2023 safety equipment use was recorded for 59% of all pedestrians involved in motor vehicle traffic crashes (1,734 out of 2,957 pedestrians). Of those pedestrians with known equipment use, 5% were using lighting or reflective clothing (80 out of 1,734).
Bicycle Helmet Use
In 2023, safety equipment use was recorded for 93% of all bicyclists involved in motor vehicle traffic crashes (850 out of 918 bicyclists). Of those bicyclists with known equipment use, 24% wore a helmet, reflective clothing, or lighting (204 out of 850). Among the 68 bicyclists fatally injured in traffic crashes between 2021 and 2023, 12% were helmeted, 69% were un-helmeted, and 19% had an unknown or unreported helmet use.
Personal Conveyances
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), people fatally injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes who were on "personal conveyances" are not classified as pedestrians. "Personal conveyances" are defined as roller skates, inline skates, skateboards, baby strollers, scooters, toy wagons, motorized skateboards, motorized toy cars, Segway-style devices, motorized and nonmotorized wheelchairs, and scooters for those with disabilities. Non-motorists on personal conveyances represent less than one percent of all traffic-related fatalities. Table 15 presents the distribution of people fatally injured on personal conveyances as a percentage of total traffic fatalities in 2019-2023.
Table 15. Total Traffic Fatalities and Personal Conveyance Fatalities, 20192023
Year
Total Traffic Fatalities
2019
1,491
2020
1,664
2021
1,809
2022
1,797
2023
1,615
Source: FARS 2019-2023
Personal Conveyance
Number Percent
11
0.74%
--
--
12
0.66%
4
0.22%
8
0.50%
Data Definitions and Considerations:
This fact sheet defines a pedestrian as any person on foot, walking, running, jogging, hiking, sitting, or lying down who is involved in a motor vehicle traffic crash. These exclude people on personal conveyances like roller skates, inline skates, skateboards, baby strollers, scooters, toy wagons, motorized skateboards, motorized toy cars, Segway-style devices, motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs, and scooters for those with disabilities. Bicyclists and other cyclists include riders of two-wheel, non-motorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered solely by pedals.
A traffic crash is defined as an incident that involves 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. However, in some cases where pedestrian and bicyclist injuries are discussed, traffic and non-traffic (i.e., occurring on any place other than a traffic way trail, driveway, parking lot, or sidewalk) incidences are included in the aggregate reporting. Fatal crashes are defined as crashes that involve a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and that result 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 fatal injury, prevents the injured person from walking, driving, or normally continuing the activities the person was capable of before the injury occurred.
"At Intersection" is used when a person 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 National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the Federal agency responsible for the use of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision (ICD-10) in the United States, has developed a clinical modification (CM) of the classification for morbidity (EMS, trauma, hospital, and ER data) purposes. ICD-10 Codes used were Pedestrian traffic - V02-V04 (.1,.9), V09.2, Pedestrian non-traffic - V02-V04 (.0),V01,V05,V06,V09 (.0,.1,.3,.9),Pedal cyclist traffic V12-V14 (.3-.9) V19 (.4-.6), Pedal cyclist non-traffic - V19(.4-.6),V10-V11,V12-V14(.0-.2),V15-V18,V19(.0-.3,.8,.9).
Contributing circumstances capture the precrash elements or improper actions of persons (pedestrians, bicyclists, other cyclists, and motorists) that may have caused the crash. 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).
The Fatality Analytics Reporting System (FARS) and crash data expanded the safety equipment field to include new attributes related to non-motorist safety equipment (e.g., reflective equipment/clothing, protective pad, lighting, and other safety equipment). These new attributes were added after 2017 and may impact the trending and interpreting of safety equipment use over time. Additionally, FARS data allow the entry of multiple safety equipment being used in a single fatal crash event.
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) values are imputed to address the problem of missing blood alcohol test results in FARS data system. A multiple imputation methodology is employed to generate specific values of BAC for persons involved in fatal crashes.
Rural counties have a population of less than 50,000 according to the United States decennial census of 2010 or any future such census (OCGA Section 31-6-2). This is different from roadway classifications, where urban road systems can be located in urban clusters (or metropolitan areas) of at least 2,500 persons within the rural counties.
Additional Information:
The shorter Fact Sheet for non-motorists can be found on the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) website: https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/Pages/BikePed.aspx
Other fact sheets and traffic safety topics are available on the Governor's Office of Highway Safety website: https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/georgia-traffic-safety-facts/
References:
Georgia Crash Outcomes Data Evaluation System. (2022, July). Examining Social Vulnerability and the Association with Pedestrian Crashes: 2016-2020 data. (Georgia Traffic Safety Facts). Atlanta, GA: Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2011. "Impact Speed and a Pedestrian's Risk of Severe Injury or Death." Available online: https://nacto.org/wpcontent/uploads/2017/11/2011PedestrianRiskVsSpeed.pdf
The suggested APA format citation for this document is:
Georgia Crash Outcomes Data Evaluation System. (2025, April). Pedestrians and Bicyclists: 2023 Data. (Georgia Traffic Safety Facts). Atlanta, GA: Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
Appendix
Pedestrians and Bicyclists (Non-Motorists)
Georgia Traffic Safety Facts (2023)
This document is the appendix for the 2023 Pedestrians and Bicyclists (Non-Motorists) Georgia Traffic Safety Facts. Visit https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/georgia-traffic-safety-facts/ to access the full report.
Data Considerations: The U.S. Census Bureau defines a "place" as a concentration of population, which may or may not have legally established
boundaries, powers, or governmental functions. Incorporated places, such as cities or towns, are created under state law and have legal status, defined boundaries, and local governments. In contrast, Census Designated Places (CDPs) are identified by the Census Bureau for statistical purposes based on factors such as population size, density, and geographic characteristics. According to the 2023 Census, there are 623 census-designated places (CDPs) in Georgia where there is a geographical region (city, town, or village) with a population. Eighty-four (84) out of the 623 census-designated places are unincorporated -- not governed by a municipal corporation like a city or town government. These Georgia CDPs, both incorporated and unincorporated, range in population size from large cities (more than 200,000 population) to small towns (less than 2,500 population). The Georgia counties are grouped into regional categories to describe the demographic areas as Atlanta Region, Other Urban Region, and Rural Regions. This is different than roadway classifications where urban road systems can be located in urban clusters (or metropolitan areas) of at least 2,500 persons within the rural counties.
- The Atlanta Region includes the eleven counties that are defined by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC): Cherokee,
Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties.
- Other Urban Regions are counties that have a residential population of more than 50,000 persons. - Rural Regions are counties that have a residential population less than 50,000 persons.
Census Designated Places (CDPs) with the Highest Pedestrian Serious Injury and Fatality Rates (per 100,000 population) by Region, 2021-2023 (CDPs with 5+ pedestrian serious injuries and fatalities)
Region Type
County
Atlanta Region
Clayton
Cobb
Dekalb
Douglas Fulton
Census Designated Places (CDPs)
Forest Park Jonesboro Riverdale Kennesaw * Mableton Marietta Smyrna * Belvedere Park Brookhaven * Candler McAfee Chamblee Decatur Doraville Dunwoody * Panthersville * Redan Stonecrest Tucker Douglasville Alpharetta Atlanta College Park East Point Johns Creek
Pedestrians Seriously or
Fatally Injured
11 6
10 7 9
29 13 15 30 10 17 11 11 10 15 18 36 19
5 6 364 24 22 7
2023 CDP Population
19,368 6,140
14,672 34,683 42,403 62,769 56,566 14,442 57,945 21,316 31,841 24,307 10,780 51,713
8,840 30,426 60,677 36,975 39,049 67,056 510,823 13,867 38,115 81,108
CDP Pedestrian Injury Rate
per 100,000 Region Population (statewide ranking)
56.79 (18) 97.72 (6) 68.16 (11) 20.18 (58) 21.22 (57) 46.20 (31) 22.98 (52) 103.86 (4) 51.77 (23) 46.91 (30) 53.39 (20) 45.25 (33) 102.04 (5) 19.34 (59) 169.68 (2) 59.16 (14) 59.33 (13) 51.39 (24) 12.80 (68)
8.95 (69) 71.26 (9) 173.07 (1) 57.72 (15)
8.63 (70)
Ratio CDP Pedestrian Injury
Rate / Regional Pedestrian Injury Rate
1.6 2.7 1.9 0.6 0.6 1.3 0.6 2.9 1.4 1.3 1.5 1.3 2.8 0.5 4.7 1.6 1.7 1.4 0.4 0.2 2.0 4.8 1.6 0.2
Region Type
County
Gwinnett
Other Urban Region
Henry Rockdale Bartow Bibb Bulloch Camden Carroll Chatham
Rural Region
Clarke Columbia Coweta Dougherty Floyd Glynn
Hall Houston Liberty Lowndes Muscogee Newton Paulding Richmond Spalding Troup Whitfield Baldwin Colquitt Laurens McDuffie Polk Sumter Thomas Tift Toombs Upson
Census Designated Places (CDPs)
Roswell Sandy Springs South Fulton Lawrenceville Peachtree Corners Snellville Suwanee Stockbridge Conyers
Cartersville Macon Statesboro Kingsland Carrollton Garden City Georgetown Pooler Savannah Athens * Evans Newnan Albany Rome Brunswick * Dock Junction Gainesville Warner Robins Hinesville Valdosta Columbus Covington Hiram Augusta Griffin LaGrange Dalton
Milledgeville Moultrie Dublin Thomson Cedartown Americus Thomasville Tifton Vidalia Thomaston
Pedestrians Seriously or
Fatally Injured
17 16 27 12
7 5 5 6 7
9 82
9 5 6 5 7 5 84 37 5 6 20 15 8 5 14 18 11 9 64 7 7 65 7 8 11
8 6 8 5 10 11 8 8 6 5
2023 CDP Population
91,706 105,793 110,920
31,015 42,136 22,067 22,913 35,452 19,505 24,937 156,512 34,452 20,343 27,793 10,373 11,606 29,544 147,748 128,628 37,718 44,940 66,877 38,111 15,404
8,786 47,265 84,537 36,181 55,025 201,877 14,677
5,353 200,884
24,044 32,343 34,508 16,486 14,565 16,008
6,860 10,300 15,703 18,558 17,357 10,741
9,876
CDP Pedestrian Injury Rate
per 100,000 Region Population (statewide ranking)
18.54 (60) 15.12 (65) 24.34 (51) 38.69 (37) 16.61 (63)
22.66 (53) 21.82 (54) 16.92 (61) 35.89 (39)
36.09 (38) 52.39 (21) 26.12 (48) 24.58 (50) 21.59 (55) 48.20 (28) 60.31 (12) 16.92 (62) 56.85 (17) 28.77 (47) 13.26 (67) 13.35 (66) 29.91 (44) 39.36 (36) 51.93 (22) 56.91 (16) 29.62 (45) 21.29 (56) 30.40 (43) 16.36 (64) 31.70 (42) 47.69 (29) 130.77 (3) 32.36 (40) 29.11 (46) 24.73 (49) 31.88 (41)
48.53 (27) 41.19 (35) 49.98 (26) 72.89 (8) 97.09 (7) 70.05 (10) 43.11 (34) 46.09 (32) 55.86 (19) 50.63 (25)
Ratio CDP Pedestrian Injury
Rate / Regional Pedestrian Injury Rate
0.5 0.4 0.7 1.1 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.5 1.0
1.3 1.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 1.7 2.2 0.6 2.0 1.0 0.5 0.5 1.1 1.4 1.8 2.0 1.1 0.8 1.1 0.6 1.1 1.7 4.6 1.1 1.0 0.9 1.1
2.0 1.7 2.1 3.0 4.0 2.9 1.8 1.9 2.3 2.1
Georgia Census Designated Places (CDPs) with 1-4 Pedestrian Serious Injury or Fatalities between 2021-2023 (n=149)
Acworth Adairsville Ashburn Austell Avondale Estates Bainbridge Baxley Bethlehem Blackshear Blakely Bloomingdale Bowdon Braselton Bremen Bronwood Buford Byron Cairo Calhoun Canton Carnesville Cecil Centerville Chatsworth * Chattanooga Valley Chickamauga Clarkston Claxton Clayton Cochran
Colquitt Cordele Cumming Cuthbert Dacula Dahlonega Dallas Darien Dawsonville * Deenwood Dillard Douglas Dudley Duluth Eastman Eatonton * Echols County Elberton Ellaville Ellijay Experimentadd * Fair Oaks Fairburn * Fairview Fayetteville Fitzgerald Flemington Flowery Branch Forsyth Fort Oglethorpe
Fort Valley * Gresham Park
Hamilton * Hannah's Mill
Hapeville Haralson * Hardwick Hartwell Hazlehurst Hephzibah Hogansville * Irondale Jackson Jasper Jefferson Jesup LaFayette Lavonia Lenox Lilburn * Lindale * Lithia Springs Locust Grove Loganville Lovejoy Lyons * Martinez McDonough Metter Milton
Monroe Montezuma Morrow Morven Norcross * North Decatur * North Druid Hills Oakwood Offerman Palmetto Patterson Peachtree City Pearson Pelham Perry * Philligburg Pine Lake Port Wentworth Portal Quitman * Raoiul Reynolds Richmond Hill Rincon Ringgold Rockmart Sandersville * Sautee-Nacoochee * Scottsdale * Skidaway Island
Soperton Sparks St. Marys * St. Simons Statham Sumner Swainsboro Sylvania Sylvester Tallapoosa Temple Tennille Thunderbolt Tybee Island Union City * Unionville Varnell Vienna Villa Rica Warrenton Washington Watkinsville Waycross Waynesboro Webster County West Point Woodstock Wrightsville * Yonah
Georgia Census Designated Places (CDPs) with No Pedestrian Serious Injury or Fatalities between 2021-2023 (n=403)
Abbeville Adel Adrian Ailey Alamo Alapaha Aldora Allenhurst Allentown Alma Alston Alto Ambrose Andersonville * Appling Arabi Aragon Arcade Argyle Arlington Arnoldsville Attapulgus Auburn Avalon Avera Baconton Baldwin Ball Ground Barnesville Bartow Barwick Bellville Berkeley Lake Berlin Between Bishop Blairsville Blue Ridge Bluffton Blythe Bogart * Bonanza Boston Bostwick Bowersville Bowman * Boykin Braswell Brinson Brooklet Brooks Broxton Buchanan Buckhead Buena Vista Butler Byromville Cadwell * Calvary
Camak Camilla Canon * Canoochee Carl Carlton Cave Spring * Cedar Springs Centralhatchee Chattahoochee Hills Chauncey * Cherry Log Chester Clarkesville Clermont Cleveland Climax Cobbtown Cohutta Colbert * Coleman Collins Comer Commerce Concord * Conley Coolidge Cornelia * Country Club Estates Crawford Crawfordville * Crooked Creek Culloden Daisy Damascus Danielsville Danville Dasher Davisboro Dawson De Soto Dearing Deepstep Demorest Denton * Dewy Rose Dexter Doerun Donalsonville Dooling * Druid Hills Du Pont * Dutch Island * Eagle Grove East Dublin East Ellijay * East Newnan Edge Hill Edison
Ellenton Emerson * Empire Enigma Ephesus * Epworth Eton Euharlee Fairmount Fargo Flovilla Folkston Fort Gaines * Fort Stewart Franklin Franklin Springs Funston Garfield Gay Geneva Georgetown Gibson Gillsville Girard Glennville Glenwood Good Hope Gordon Graham Grantville Gray Grayson Greensboro Greenville Grovetown Gumbranch * Gumlog Guyton Hagan Hahira Hampton Harlem Harrison Hawkinsville Helen * Henderson * Heron Bay Hiawassee Higgston * Hilltop Hiltonia Hoboken Holly Springs Homeland Homer Homerville Hoschton * Howard Hull
Ideal Ila * Indian Springs Iron City Irwinton * Isle of Hope Ivey Jacksonville Jakin Jeffersonville Jenkinsburg Jersey Junction City Keysville * Kings Bay Base Kingston Kite * Knoxville Lake City Lake Park Lakeland * Lakeview * Lakeview Estates Leary Leesburg Leslie Lexington Lilly * Lincoln Park Lincolnton Lithonia Lone Oak Lookout Mountain Louisville Ludowici Lula Lumber City Lumpkin Luthersville Lyerly Madison Manassas Manchester Mansfield Marshallville Martin * Matthews Maxeys Maysville McCaysville McIntyre McRae-Helena Meansville Meigs * Mendes Menlo Midville Midway Milan
Millen Milner * Mineral Bluff Mitchell Molena * Montgomery Monticello Montrose * Moody AFB Moreland Morgan Morganton Mount Airy Mount Vernon Mount Zion Mountain City Mountain Park Nahunta Nashville Nelson Newborn Newington Newton Nicholls Nicholson Norman Park * Norristown North High Shoals Norwood Nunez Oak Park Ochlocknee Ocilla Oconee Odum Oglethorpe Oliver Omega Orchard Hill Oxford Parrott Pavo Pembroke Pendergrass * Perkins Pine Mountain Pinehurst Pineview Pitts Plains Plainville Porterdale Poulan Powder Springs Pulaski * Putney Ranger Ray City Rayle
Rebecca * Reed Creek Register Reidsville Remerton Rentz Resaca Rest Haven Rhine Riceboro Richland Riddleville Roberta * Robins AFB Rochelle * Rockingham Rocky Ford Roopville Rossville Royston * Russell Rutledge
Sale City * Salem Santa Claus Sardis Sasser * Satilla Scotland Screven Senoia * Seville Shady Dale * Shannon Sharon Sharpsburg Shellman Shiloh Siloam Sky Valley Smithville Social Circle Sparta Springfield
Stapleton Stillmore Stone Mountain Sugar Hill Summertown Summerville Sunny Side * Sunnyside * Sunset Village Surrency Sycamore * Talahi Island Talbotton Talking Rock Tallulah Falls Talmo Tarrytown * Tate City Taylorsville * The Rock Tiger Tignall
Toccoa Toomsboro Trenton Trion Tunnel Hill Turin Twin City Ty Ty Tyrone Unadilla Union Point Uvalda Vernonburg Vidette * Vinings Waco Wadley Waleska Walnut Grove Walthourville Warm Springs Warwick
Waverly Hall Whigham White White Plains * Whitemarch Island Whitesburg Willacoochee Williamson * Wilmington Island Winder Winterville Woodbine Woodbury Woodland Woodville Woolsey Wrens Yatesville Young Harris Zebulon