The annual number of traffic fatalities in Georgia is on pace to rise for the first time in nearly a decade. So far this year, nearly 700 lives have been lost on Georgia roadways – a 14 percent increase compared to the same time last year, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.

“We’re on pace for 1300 traffic fatalities in Georgia for 2015  and this is a record that no one wants to break,” said Garrett Townsend, Director of Public Affairs for AAA Georgia. “It’s sobering to think of the many families that are torn apart by these traffic crashes. AAA urges every motorist to do their part in hopes of reversing this unwelcomed trend.”

AAA is supportive of the “Drive Alert. Arrive Alive.” Campaign which is a partnership between the GDOT, the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS).  The campaign urges drivers to:

• Buckle Up– Wear your seat belt and make sure all your passengers, including young children, are properly restrained. With 45 to 60 percent effectiveness, seat belts are the single most effective means of reducing the risk of death in a crash and have saved nearly 300,000 lives since 1975 in the U.S. alone.
• Limit Distractions– Put the phone down. Distracted drivers put not only themselves at risk, but everyone else using the road. Numerous research studies, however, conclude that hands-free cell phones offer no significant safety benefits over handheld phones – hands-free is not risk-free.
• Drive Alert– Don’t drive drowsy or impaired. Sleepiness slows your reaction time, decreases awareness and impairs your judgment, just like drugs or alcohol. Alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities account for 30 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States.

Research conducted by AAA found that Georgians feel distracted driving (76%), Impaired driving (67%), and Aggressive driving (61%) are most concerning in regards to keeping the roadways safe.

“Programs such as ‘Drive Alert. Arrive Alive’ are great because they remind Georgia motorists to stay focused on the road, and change their personal driving behavior to make the roadways a safer place for everyone,” continued Townsend.

Additional information on this campaign can be found on the GDOT Website http://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/SafetyOperation/DAAA. 

Statistical Statement:

The 2015 Georgia Public Affairs Survey was conducted online among registered voters in Georgia.  A total of 602 residents completed the survey.  The survey has a maximum margin of error of ± 4.0 percentage points.  Overall survey responses are weighted by gender and age to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Georgia.