Commuting in Atlanta: it's often a dangerous ride home

Atlanta, one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States, has been also been named the worst city for commuting in the United States. Forbes Magazine based on traffic delays, travel times and how efficiently commuters use existing traffic infrastructure in 75 U.S. cities. Atlanta achieved its top rating because of numerous traffic delays, time spent commuting, and the fact that Atlanta has more traffic than its infrastructure can handle.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), congested traffic and long travel times are linked to aggressive driving. Perhaps this is why another survey found Atlanta’s drivers among the most aggressive in the nation. According to the survey, chartered by TomTom Inc., Atlanta drivers have the highest rates for the following reckless behaviors.

• Atlanta drivers tend to be frustrated by traffic and slow/bad driving.

• When cut off by another driver, 14.4% of surveyed Atlanta drivers are likely to make crude gestures.

• When being tail-gated, Atlanta drivers are most likely to suddenly slam on their brakes and slow down, rather than changing lanes. A huge 26.4% of drivers admitted to this reckless behavior.

• 12.9% of Atlanta drivers talk or text on their cell phone while driving alone.

• 19.4% do not allow extra time for delays or traffic when driving to an appointment.

• 66.2% drive 5-10 miles per hour above the speed limit.

Aggressive drivers are defined as those who drive without regard to the safety of others. Aggressive driving behavior includes speeding, tailgating, refusing to yield, passing on the right, making improper and unsafe lane changes, making hand and facial gestures, screaming, honking and flashing lights. Drivers cite being late, slow traffic and frustration with traffic congestion as the most common reasons for aggressive driving.

The combination of the Atlanta long commutes, high traffic, and reckless drivers is dangerous for those on the road. According to NHTSA records, more than 1,500 people a year die in Georgia traffic accidents. More than 135,000 are injured. The majority of these accidents occur in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, where the crash rate exceeds the national average of 5%. In Fulton County, the rate is nearly 10%. The highest contributing factor to accidents in the Atlanta area was failure to stay in the proper lane.

This month, three commuters were killed in a traffic accident when a sedan, which had been weaving through traffic, changed lanes and clipped the bumper. The impact caused the commuter van to overturn. Six other passengers were hospitalized. The accident could have been avoided if the driver of the sedan had been driving more responsibly.

Kaufman Law represents clients who have been injured in car accidents through no fault of their own. Unfortunately, insurance does not always provide adequate compensation for an accident victim’s injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured by the reckless behavior of another driver, order our free book Hurt in Georgia: An Injury Attorney’s Thoughts on Car Wrecks, and contact our car wreck attorneys at 888-973-2540 (888-WRECK-404) at anytime to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal rights. We’d like to help.