Atlanta Named One of Least Safe Cities for Drivers by U.S. News

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, reports show that the streets are less congested, and overall, people drive less. But less traffic volume has not translated to fewer traffic fatalities, and often, the risk of a vehicle crash increases based on where you live. Recently, data has determined that Atlanta is one of the riskiest U.S. cities for drivers.

Not only can a crash leave you traumatized, but it can also leave you with a mountain of medical bills and vehicle expenses. Then there is the time lost from work and the emotional scars a crash can cause.

The Atlanta car accident attorneys at John Foy & Associates have more than two decades of experience dealing with all the complexities of a car crash and the aftermath. We are skilled car accident lawyers in Atlanta, ready to guide you through these next steps with compassion and concern while protecting your legal rights as an accident victim.

Determining America’s Most and Least Safe Cities for Drivers

The Road Information Program (TRIP) is a nonprofit organization tasked with studying transportation issues. TRIP recently analyzed data collected between 2019 and 2021. The study indicates that despite the number of miles traveled on U.S. roads decreasing by 3%, traffic fatalities increased by approximately 19%.

This information is backed up by a recent survey of driving habits. Of those surveyed, 49% claim to drive less now compared to before the pandemic. The idea of risk has become more prevalent in American’s minds, and the degree of risks drivers face is usually determined by three factors:

1. Where they live
2. How many miles they drive each day
3. The type of vehicle they are driving 

In another study commissioned by U.S. News & World Report, traffic data from America’s 50 largest cities was analyzed to ascertain which are the riskiest and the safest for drivers. The analysis focused on the statistics from 2016 to 2020—specifically each city’s deadly vehicle accidents per capita. It also weighed the total number of individuals involved in deadly crashes per capita. The study also examined for each state:

• The average fatality rate per miles traveled 
• The amount of DUI arrests per capita 
• The rate of vehicle thefts 

Atlanta cracked the top 10 of riskiest cities by coming in at the tenth spot.

The 10 Safest and Riskiest U.S. Cities 

The largest cities in America are known for their hustle and bustle, risky roadways swirling through and around the metropolis, with people moving along with their lives. Georgia did find its way onto the list with one city, while Arizona populated three spots on the top ten list of riskiest cities.

Atlanta’s appearance on the list should not be much of a surprise. It recently received the distinction of being named by the financial news outlet 24/7 Wall St. as the city with the worst traffic in the state.

Aside from Atlanta, the more dangerous cities for drivers in the US include Memphis, Albuquerque, Detroit, Louisville, Tucson, Phoenix, Jacksonville, Mesa, and Dallas. 

On the flip side, the 10 safest cities for driving include Boston, New York City, Honolulu, Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Chicago, Virginia Beach, Seattle, San Francisco, and Columbus.

Analyzing the Data

To determine the overall ranking of the cities, U.S. News & World Report used a list of factors to determine how safe or risky the roads were in each of the nation’s 50 most populated cities. The values of these factors were indexed and then ranked, weighing each factor against the city’s population and the comparison to the other cities on the list.

The data for all of these factors were gathered from public sources that allowed the cities to be measured accordingly. In circumstances when the data came from a source that was not national, state data was compiled, and all of the 50 cities used local sources for that particular factor. 

NHTSA Data

Of the data collected, 35% came from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These factors included:

• Fatal car accidents per city per capita from 2016 to 2020
• People involved in fatal crashes per city per capita from 2016 to 2020

TRIP Data

Approximately 10% of the statistics were culled from TRIP, including: 

• The average fatality rate per 100 million miles traveled in each state from 2019 to 2021

FBI Data

Approximately 10% of the data came from the Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), including:

• The average number of DUI arrests per capita in each state from 2017 to 2019

NICB Data

Another 10% was pulled from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), including: 

• Car thefts per capita in each city from 2019 to 2021 

Statistics and data involving car crashes can be overwhelming, but in all cases, an Atlanta car accident attorney can help figure out even the most complicated situations.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Atlanta Today

If a vehicle crash occurs, there are basically two things to remember:

1. Never admit blame or apologize and be cautious about what you say following the accident.
2. Obtain the services of an Atlanta car accident lawyer to ensure someone has your best interests and legal rights in mind.

Accidents can happen anywhere or anytime, and in Atlanta, the chances of a car accident only get higher. Even the safest drivers have no control over other drivers. John Foy & Associates are car accident attorneys in Atlanta with a history of increasing the chances of recovering full compensation for your damages.

Traffic and time can move faster than you anticipate, and you only have two years from the date of the crash to file a claim. If you have been in an accident because of someone’s wrongful or negligent act, do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.