| Data years | 2020-2024[1][2][3][4][5] |
|---|---|
| Deaths in car accidents, 2020-2024 | 226[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Deaths in car accidents, 2024 | 42[5] |
| Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents | 15.1[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
| Population, July 1, 2024 (estimate) | 297,233[6] |
| 2024 data file | FARS Annual Report File[5] |
Clayton County car accident statistics record 226 deaths from 2020 through 2024, representing 87.9% of the county's 257 traffic deaths. In 2024, the count was 42 car accident deaths, or 89.4% of 47 traffic deaths. Across the reporting period, 209 fatal crashes met the passenger-vehicle definition used here, with an average of 45.2 deaths per year.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
A car accident here means a fatal crash involving at least one passenger car, SUV, pickup or van. The death count includes everyone killed in those crashes, across the categories People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans, People in other vehicles, and Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping). The crash records come from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, while the population estimates used for rates come from the Census Bureau.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Contents
Car accident deaths in Clayton County by year
Car accident deaths rose from 41 in 2020 to 57 in 2021, then fell to 51 in 2022 and 35 in 2023. The count rose to 42 in 2024. The highest count was 57 in 2021, and the lowest was 35 in 2023. The 2024 count was 1 death higher than the 2020 count.[1][2][3][4][5]
The share of all traffic deaths classified as car accident deaths was 83.7% in 2020, 87.7% in 2021, 86.4% in 2022, 94.6% in 2023 and 89.4% in 2024. Although 2023 had the lowest death count, it had the highest share. All traffic deaths numbered 49, 65, 59, 37 and 47 in those respective years.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Year | Deaths in car accidents | All traffic deaths | Share in car accidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 41 | 49 | 83.7% |
| 2021 | 57 | 65 | 87.7% |
| 2022 | 51 | 59 | 86.4% |
| 2023 | 35 | 37 | 94.6% |
| 2024 | 42 | 47 | 89.4% |
Deaths within 30 days in crashes on public roads. 2024 figures come from the FARS Annual Report File and can be revised.
Who died in Clayton County car accidents
People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 130 deaths, or 57.5% of car accident deaths in Clayton County from 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 15 deaths, or 6.6%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 81 deaths, or 35.8%.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
These labels classify people killed in the selected passenger-vehicle-involved crashes, rather than restricting the count to passenger-vehicle occupants. For readers searching for a car accident lawyer, the grouping to keep in mind is crash location, not the deceased person's residence.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
How the fatal car crashes happened
Manner of collision describes the first harmful event. Angle (side impact) accounted for 36 deaths (15.9%), Head-on for 20 (8.8%), Rear-end for 23 (10.2%) and Sideswipe for 6 (2.7%). Other accounted for 1 death (0.4%).[1][2][3][4][5][7]
The largest row, Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport, accounted for 140 car accident deaths (61.9%). This means the first harmful event was not a collision between motor vehicles in transport. Examples include striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover. A motor vehicle in transport can be stopped in traffic; the classification does not require another vehicle to be physically moving.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Time of day and setting
Nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) accounted for 159 car accident deaths in Clayton County from 2020 through 2024, or 70.4%. Daytime (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) accounted for 67 deaths, or 29.6%. The nighttime count was higher than the daytime count.[1][2][3][4][5]
By land-use classification, Urban accounted for 219 deaths (96.9%), while Rural accounted for 7 (3.1%). Crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 15 car accident deaths, or 6.6%. That truck-involvement figure counts deaths in qualifying passenger-vehicle crashes that also involved a large truck.[1][2][3][4][5]
Car accident death rate compared with Georgia and the United States
Clayton County's car accident death rate was 15.1 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. Georgia's rate was 13.3, and the national rate was 10.5. The county rate was higher than both.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
The listed neighboring counties had rates of 11.1 in Fulton County, 14.3 in DeKalb County and 11.0 in Henry County. Clayton County's rate was higher than each. Among the listed neighboring counties, DeKalb County had the highest rate and Henry County the lowest.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
These rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census population estimates and multiply by 100,000. They express average annual deaths per 100,000 residents and do not adjust for miles driven or visitors.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
| Area | Deaths, 2020-2024 | Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton County, Georgia | 226 | 15.1 |
| Georgia | 7,280 | 13.3 |
| United States | 176,219 | 10.5 |
| Fulton County, Georgia (neighbor) | 598 | 11.1 |
| DeKalb County, Georgia (neighbor) | 549 | 14.3 |
| Henry County, Georgia (neighbor) | 138 | 11.0 |
Rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census population estimates, so they show deaths per 100,000 residents per year. They do not adjust for miles driven or for visitors.
Recorded characteristics of all fatal crashes
Recorded characteristics cover all fatal crashes in Clayton County, of any vehicle type, rather than only car accidents. Shares use all traffic deaths: Speeding-related, 70 deaths (27.2%); Roadway departure, 78 (30.4%); At an intersection, 51 (19.8%); and Pedestrian involved, 97 (37.7%).[1][2][3][4][5]
Motorcycle involved accounted for 25 deaths (9.7%); Hit-and-run, 35 (13.6%); Driver distraction reported, 3 (1.2%); and In a work zone, 8 (3.1%). Pedestrian involved had the largest share of the listed characteristics. A crash can have several recorded characteristics, so rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These records are not findings of fault or cause.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Recorded crash characteristic (all fatal crashes) | Deaths, 2020-2024 | Share of all traffic deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding-related | 70 | 27.2% |
| Roadway departure | 78 | 30.4% |
| At an intersection | 51 | 19.8% |
| Pedestrian involved | 97 | 37.7% |
| Motorcycle involved | 25 | 9.7% |
| Hit-and-run | 35 | 13.6% |
| Driver distraction reported | 3 | 1.2% |
| In a work zone | 8 | 3.1% |
A crash can carry several characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These are recorded characteristics, not findings of fault.
About these figures
FARS is a census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes. Inclusion requires a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a death within 30 days. Counts follow the county where the crash happened, not where the deceased lived. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded.[8][6][7]
Records for 2020 through 2023 are Final Files; the 2024 Annual Report File may change when finalized. Rates divide 2020 through 2024 deaths by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates from Vintage 2025 and multiply by 100,000. The separate July 1, 2024 population estimate is not the denominator. Rates do not adjust for miles driven or visitors.[8][6][7]
See also
References
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2020 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2021 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2022 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2023 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxy "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2024 national data files (Annual Report File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghij "Annual resident population estimates for counties, April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 (CO-EST2025-ALLDATA)". U.S. Census Bureau. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefgh "Fatality Analysis Reporting System Analytical User's Manual, 1975-2024 (DOT HS 813 794)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- ab "Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2024 (DOT HS 813 791, April 2026)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record