Georgia highways

Published on: March 19, 2010

Georgia Roads Are Both Deadly and Desirable

Georgia Has Best and Deadliest Roads in the US

A study published in Reader’s Digest magazine indicates dichotomies in Georgia’s road safety. The state’s roads are some of the best in the country indicated by their position at number 13 on the list. However oddly enough, Georgia’s roads are also mentioned as some of the deadliest in the country, placed at number 20 on a different list.

So, how could our roads be safe and a pleasure to drive on, and still be linked to an inordinate number of accidents and fatalities?

Published on: February 15, 2010

Killer Roads Report: Georgia Highways Dangerous

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Killer Roads Report: Georgia Highways More Dangerous Because of Negligent Motorists

A report based on auto accident statistics by the Department of Transportation between 1994 and 2008 lists the most dangerous roads in the country by the number of fatalities that have occurred here. The top 20 is made up in a large part by cities in heavily populated states, like Texas and California.

According to the data, 23,640 people died on Georgia highways in auto accidents between 1994 and 2008.

Published on: January 14, 2010

Highway Safety Group has Traffic Safety Advice for Georgia

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Highway Safety Group has Traffic Safety Advice for Georgia

As personal injury lawyers serving auto accident victims in Atlanta and around Georgia, we know how better and stronger laws could prevent accidents and fatalities in our state. That has now been confirmed by a report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

The group has released its Road Map Report, which reviewed states based on 15 basic laws that will contribute to lowered fatalities and injuries on American roads. These laws relate to adult occupant protection, teen driving, child passenger safety, drunk driving and distracted driving. The states were then rated based on their adoption of these recommended laws. The ratings were coded in

Published on: January 4, 2010

Increased Highway Construction Work in Georgia Could Increase Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Georgia has 151 approved highway construction projects in the pipeline, all thanks to more than $400 million in federal stimulus funds. That means that in the next few years, there will be dozens of active highway construction, preservation and repair projects across the state. That is good news for Georgians who will expect improved infrastructure to enhance connectivity, boost local economies and create jobs. It may also however, create conditions that place Georgia motorists at a higher risk of accidents.

A New York Times report shows how failure to enforce uniform and strict laws governing construction work zone safety have killed thousands of Americans and injured many more. In the past five years. 4,700 people have been killed in accidents on highway work zones, and another 200,000 people have been severely injured.

The problem with highway work zone safety is that there is no national set of laws that governs work zone safety. As a result, you have laws that differ widely from state to state. Few states have strict systems in place to enforce work zone safety rules. These rules involve placing appropriate warning signs and barriers, correct and safe placement of unused construction equipment, the proper implementation of rolling road blocks to facilitate slow movement of traffic through a zone, and others.

Published on: October 15, 2009

Three Killed in Stone Mountain Freeway Van Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Three Killed in Stone Mountain Freeway Van Accident

At least three people, all employees of Georgia Power, were killed in a deadly van accident on Stone Mountain Freeway on Tuesday afternoon. Six other people have sustained critical injuries.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, a van with 9 people inside was struck by a Dodge Stratus, which clipped the van when it tried to make a lane change. The van flipped over from the impact, and was severely damaged. Emergency crews had to cut through the roof of the van to rescue the victims trapped inside. The critically injured were rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital and Atlanta Medical Center.

Published on: May 13, 2009

Safer Roads, Fewer Accidents: Georgia’s Road Improvement Stimulus Funds Are Here

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Motorists in Georgia can look forward to repaired highways and safer streets that will reduce the risk of accidents. Governor Perdue last week approved $187 million from federal stimulus funds, which will be used in up to 51 road construction and repair projects in metro Atlanta.

In April, the governor approved $207 million to be spent on highway projects, and these recent funds are in addition to those funds. All in all, Georgia is scheduled to receive $931 million for road improvement projects. Work on highways is expected to begin by summer. According to the Department of Transportation, there are dozens of projects that were in line for funds, but only those that are in poor condition or have had a high incidence of automobile accidents have been marked for construction work.

Here’s where some of those funds will go:

Published on: February 24, 2009

DeKalb County Faces Funds Shortage for Road Repair Projects

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Blame the economic meltdown if there are more automobile and pedestrian accidents in DeKalb County in the coming years. The County is facing a severe funds crunch, and road repair and building projects are expected to suffer as a result.

DeKalb County last year spent $19 million on construction of new roads and sidewalks, and undertaking bridge repair. This year, that amount has been drastically slashed to $5.5 million. Every year, the County invests heavily in street repavement efforts that ensure that motorists drive not just efficiently, but also safely. Investments in previous years have gone into building sidewalks, so pedestrians can walk safely without fear of accidents, and constructing of new medians that can allow vehicle movement on roads to flow smoothly and prevent crashes. In previous years, funding from the road building budget has been used to install new streetlights that can reduce nighttime accidents. All these efforts are expected to suffer this year as the County struggles with balancing the shortage of funding, with numerous road and sidewalk repair, construction and improvement projects that it needs to undertake.

It seems like the financial meltdown and the economic crisis will begin pinching DeKalb County residents where it really hurts – their safety on county roads. You know there’s a meltdown in full swing not only when unemployment figures are up, but also when a cash shortage is obstructing efforts to make our cities and roads safe for all. Road building and repair efforts are necessary every year to repair eroded and battered stretches of road that can expose motorists to risk for automobile accidents. For instance, when traffic safety programs are cut because of funding shortages, you end up with battered and faded street signs malfunctioning street lights, uneven road surfaces that pose a risk of loss of control and rollovers, and other road defects that can cause accidents. Besides, during a recession, county authorities are also forced to cut down funding for the redesign of dangerous roads that may place motorists at an increased risk of collisions.