Barrow has high wreck fatality rate

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Wednesday, April 11. 2012

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According to a report soon to be released by the Atlanta Regional Commission, Barrow County had the highest traffic fatality rate in the entire 18-county metropolitan Atlanta area from 2006-2008. The ARC, which is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the 18-county metro area, has developed individual crash reports for each county and is planning to distribute them April 12 to the regional Transportation & Air Quality Committee. The Barrow Journal obtained a copy of the draft of the report for this county.

With 12 fatalities each of the three years, Barrow County ranked near the bottom of the region in terms of actual deaths. But its fatality “rate” rose to No. 1 when tied to the daily vehicle miles traveled because Barrow County has a relatively low number of daily vehicle miles traveled.

That context gave the county a fatality rate of 2.0 per 100 million VMTs compared to a regional rate of 1.2.

For the full story, see the April 11 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 Longtime on 04/11/12 at 10:39 AM [Reply]

I Blame the DOT. They have ignored Barrow County for DECADES, hundreds of us tried to get the DOT to understand reason years ago on several road projects, but most notably GA316, I personally begged the DOT to NOT OPEN GA316 with intersections, but to build it right with Bridges and Ramps from the get-go. It would have SAVED MILLIONS of TAXPAYER DOLLARS and SAVED LIVES, including 1 Barrow Dead on the DAY IT OPENED.
Barrow is in that Zone between the Very Urban Traffic (Ex:Gwinnett) and the Rural Traffic (Ex:Jackson,etc), where both types of Drivers intersect and this could contribute to accidents too.

#2 Anonymous on 04/11/12 at 10:49 AM [Reply]

I so agree with you. . .316 is a death trap and why don't they put turning signals on the lights so that it can be easier to turn onto 316 from the side roads like Patrick Mill and Carl Bethlehem Road. They put one at Hwy. 81 but I guess it will take a few more tragedies to get the point across.

#2.1 Anonymous on 04/11/12 at 12:26 PM [Reply]

316 is only a "death trap" if you are a moron.

#2.1.1 Wake up and think on 04/11/12 at 01:50 PM [Reply]

It is Inherently Dangerous by the Design and the Volume of Traffic. You are a moron if you cannot understand or comprehend these concepts. You have people going 65-75mph and then Traffic lights on a divided 4-lane expressway style road, those Typically will have Bridges and Ramps, you very rarely have a highway with that much volume designed so poorly. You may pay attention, but not everyone does, too much can happen, it is a HIGH RISK ROAD.

#2.1.1.1 Anonymous on 04/11/12 at 03:40 PM [Reply]

If they are driving, as you state in your very own example, 65-75 mph, then they are exceeding the posted speed limit and are, therefore, breaking the law. Therefore, they fall into the category of morons. Therefore, they are not entitled to sympathy when they cause a fatal "accident." Don't blame the hot rod. Don't blame the road. Blame the nut behind the wheel. If people drove as responsibly as the Germans do on the autobahn, then there wouldn't be as many "accidents."

#2.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 04/12/12 at 08:26 AM [Reply]

The reason people drive more responsibly on the autobahn is this: It's much more expensive to get your license in Europe than it is here in the States. You have to undergo more intensive training in order to get your license in Europe. Last, if you cause a major accident on the Autobahn, your license is automatically revoked.

#2.1.1.2 Anonymous on 04/12/12 at 08:24 AM [Reply]

Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Medlock Bridge Rd, HWY 78, and Camp Creek Pkwy, are all roads that are designed in the same fashion as 316. They do not have as high number of fatality crashes as 316. It's not the roadway, it's the people driving on the roadway.

#2.1.1.2.1 Not Even Close to the Same.. on 04/15/12 at 02:09 PM [Reply]

Peachtree Industrial is not a good example and it is NOT Designed the same, but Yes the DOT messed that up too, and spent(wasted)millions fixing PIB & JCB.

GA 316 Connects TWO Different Metro Statiscal areas Atlanta to Athens, not just another artery to a part of town.

PIB has bridges & ramps from I-285 to north or Peachtree Corners/Norcross where the traffic is then divided equally into GA141/Ptree Parkway and Peachtree Ind. There are 3 lanes each way minimum for most of it and CLOSE together lights afterward, whereas 316 is Freeway-like with miles between lights, not blocks. NOT THE SAME AT ALL.

#2.1.1.2.1.1 Anonymous on 04/16/12 at 05:17 AM [Reply]

Actually, 316's design is the same as that of PIB. The difference is the surrounding are of PIB grew faster than that of 316. You are right, 316 was built as an alternate route between Athens and Atlanta. The area just hasn't grown like it did on PIB.

#3 Anonymous on 04/11/12 at 01:33 PM [Reply]

I agree. A roadway is only a death trap if you drive HUTA. My question is, when did we become part of the Metro area? I would prefer not to be a part of that fiasco.

#4 soooo on 04/11/12 at 02:35 PM [Reply]

interesting it appears death and traffic enforcement like heat may not work well, when design is bad and the heat police may even add to this problem,

#4.1 Lets be real about some of the traffic enforcement... on 04/11/12 at 03:21 PM [Reply]

Alot of the traffic enforcement is not resulting in more safety, its REVENUE generation. The majority (not all, the majority) or speeding is about the MONEY. The Police Never direct traffic (that is not fun at all), but they will write tickets all day.

The Tickets are typcally in the long straightaways were we slip up past the speed limit, yet all the accidents are at intersections, so WHERE should the COPS be???

Now, GA 316 is a problem because of the at-grade Intersections where the majority of accidents are happening. People are used to the Interstate-like travel but theres traffic lights, and the Volume problem is not just on 316, S.Broad/Loganville Hwy/GA 81 in Winder for example has HUGE volume and always backed up...Because it should have been a bridge or overpass.

#5 Anonymous on 04/11/12 at 03:28 PM [Reply]

Speed enforcement is not just about revenue. Believe it or not, there is a direct corelation between speed and severity of injury in an automobile accident. Unless you are driving HUTA, how hard is it to see the flashing yellow lights that are positioned 500 feet before every intersection along 316? That's the one thing this article omits. It does not explain the causes of the fatality accidents. Many of the accidents involve DUI, Driving Too Fast for Conditions, Running Red Lights (which on 316 does involve people speeding and trying to beat the light), and finally, Speeding (leading to inability to control the vehicle).

#5.1 yes on 04/12/12 at 09:02 AM [Reply]

it is about revenue there is no tie to speed enforcement and accidents as pointed out in Gwinnett when so many depts were not allowed to use speed detection devices, I think as a matter of fact accidents and fatalities dropped when there was a ban......
just saying maybe plotting to raise money rather then serve and protect is poor idea

#5.1.1 Anonymous on 04/12/12 at 12:13 PM [Reply]

So you are saying Speed does not increase the severity of an injury in an automobile accident. Here's an experiment for you. Drive your car into a concrete wall at 35 MPH, then get another car that is exactly the same, and drive it into the wall at 65 MPH, and once again with another similar car at 85 MPH. You tell me that your injuries are going to be the same at 35 MPH and 85 MPH.

#5.1.1.1 Anonymous on 04/12/12 at 12:24 PM [Reply]

Don't say the test is unrealistic.

A 35 MPH crash test with a concrete wall is the equivalent of two vehicles traveling in the Walmart parking lot at 17.5 MPH (a "safe" speed for a parking lot)

A 65 MPH crast test is equivalent to two vehicles driving on a residential street at 27.5 MPH

An 85 MPH crast test is equivalent to two vehicles driving down Haymon Morris Rd at 42.5 MPH.

#5.1.1.2 no on 04/12/12 at 03:03 PM [Reply]

you are saying this, I am saying use of speed enforcement methods may be more of issue causing wrecks and not reducing accidents. a rolling police car working not on speed but on unsafe acts that do not have high revenue tie to the tickets mmay be better way to reduce incidents

#5.1.2 Anonymous on 04/12/12 at 12:28 PM [Reply]

Good luck getting an officer to "Protect" you. The US Supreme Court has already ruled on multiple occassions that a Peace Officer has NO official duty to protect you or your property.

#6 J.B.Moore on 04/12/12 at 02:23 PM [Reply]

NHTSA has established the stats for speed vs severity of injury.There's no way to argue national confirmed research. What you will see in relation to 316 and a small part i85 is the drivers speed perception. You go 316 at 70mph then turn off to a smaller road rated at 40mph. After driving from Lawrenceville 70 feels normal, and 40 feels like a snail. So people naturally somewhat exceed the safe limit and crash. I am only repeating facts, look it up. That's on reason you can usually map a large amount of accidents close to interstates and higher speed thoroughfares.

#6.1 sir on 04/12/12 at 02:56 PM [Reply]

there is disclaimer right at the beginning of the NHTSA release on what you claim is NHTSA it states it is opion of the authors not that of NHTSA, there fore it is something that sounds good so it was released, but so as NHTSA could disavow it if anyone questioned it right at the beginning they put itis opinion of the authors and not that of NHTSA

#6.2 Stats will sell what you want to sell..BUT... on 04/15/12 at 02:01 PM [Reply]

So we have the highest average highway speeds nationwide, since the early 1970's, some states have now adopted 80 mph speed limits, and this year had the LOWEST traffic fatality rate in DECADES, this year.

Your logic only sells your personal point of view, you make your stats say what you want to, you are a slow guy.

Barrow has very little overall higher speed highways (meaning 60,65,70) compared to ALL, ALL the other Metro Counties, Yet for 2006-2008 we led in fatalites, well we are the SMALLEST County in the Metro (162.2 sq mi) and it takes LESS Deaths to increase our numbers. In 2006-2008 we had some anomlies, we had several groups of accidents that were unusal, including some high speed "chase" deaths. So these stats may show we had the highest rate, but lowest overall number of deaths.

#7 Michael Ex-Navy on 04/14/12 at 02:26 PM [Reply]

The problem with so many of you is following too closely. I see people right on your rear bumper that they seem to be getting in your trunk. Even at a red light they are so close that one bump from behind them and they hit you too.You are supposed to see the rear tires on the pavement from the car ahead of you at the red light.Try it, you will see a difference
in accidents and GET OFF THE PHONES.

#7.1 Agie on 04/14/12 at 10:53 PM [Reply]

THANK YOU!!!! Drivers need to remember CHILDREN are in the back seats !! Of course some of the worse tailgater are the other parents head to the same school to drop off their kids !!!

#7.2 Anonymous on 04/15/12 at 02:18 PM [Reply]

I agree: Get off the Phones is one cure. People try to do way too many other things while driving. JOB #1 is Driving, Job #2 is still driving, way down the list is anything else on your list, some of cannot drive and talk, face it.

The next issue is drivers not following the law and MOVING OVER to the Right and Allowing others to PASS ON THE LEFT where the law says you should pass. This causes people to weave in and out of lanes, increasing accident chances greatly, and it causes the cars going faster to be in the right with the slower traffic (by not moving over, you force the faster traffic to mix with the slower). It is ILLEGAL to not move over on Divided 4-lane or more roads. If you move over, when safe, you wont have that person riding your rear either.

#8 J.B. Moore on 04/14/12 at 11:57 PM [Reply]

My information does not come from a release, it comes from a 12 year study conducted in areas where speed limits were increased and fatality crashes increased. Speed causes greater injury. How can you debate that? It was established by a gentleman with the last name newton. It has been proven that speed does not increase accidents, it increases injury. Please stop with the revenue comments. City police, yeah maybe, but we have a sheriff in this county who provides the majority of service and I don't want to argue so I urge you to call the local solicitor or the clerk of court and ask who gets the revenue from citations. If you don't believe traffic enforcement doesn't create compliance then tell me why two years after the hoschton police were disbanded people still slam the brakes and do 35 through hoschton.

#8.1 the study on 04/15/12 at 05:48 AM [Reply]

you mention first off you leave out the name but Dr Solomon did a decade long study released in 2005, but that study shows that driving the median rate is safeest, while those traveling slower then median rate were more involved in accidents then those in higher speeds, still the NHTSA does not do these studies merelypublishes them, and the disclaimer is in regards to all the studies. so in fact you must wish to argue this point merly by posting that you are right and everyone else must be wrong, oh and by the way Newtons theory is still a theory not a fact, yet many seem to think it is a fact mostly because they have limited grasp of what a fact is.....

#9 Driver on 04/15/12 at 04:27 PM [Reply]

The problem is the rate of speed. The speed limit is 65mph on 316. On any other road around the area it is 55, 441-55, 129-55, 78-mostly 55.

#9.1 Anonymous on 04/15/12 at 05:25 PM [Reply]

The speed limit on 316 from where it intersects US 29 to its terminus into I-85 is 55mph. This is the only important section of 316. The portion that runs through Barrow county is insignificant since it primarily serves local yokels and those traveling to worthless locations. If a few of them are lost per annum it is of no consequence. They are too dumb to drive at Porsche speeds anyway.

#9.2 Anonymous on 04/16/12 at 08:38 AM [Reply]

It is too slow, but with intersections & lights it has to be 65. It should be a super great artery from Athens to Atlanta, but it fails massively, it can take 30 mins from Winder Hwy to Collins Hill Rd often. Poor Decision making amde the differene. It should be I-585 or something it it was built correctly.

#10 J.B. Moore on 04/16/12 at 11:39 AM [Reply]

Ok, I got nothing, I was simply agreeing that Higher speeds do not cause more accidents. You are citing people impeding the flow cause more, I have seen studies from interstates to concur with that. I simply stand that one could hypothesize that you will not see aortic separation at a slow speed nor see triangulation of two vehicles when the hit head on at 5 mph in a parking lot. I guess I can say I agree the speed doesn't kill you but the sudden stop does?

#10.1 you took on 04/16/12 at 12:16 PM [Reply]

from studies what you wanted, you attributed those studies to being product of NHTSA when thye are not, merely released or published in effort to bring ways to reduceproblems while with same release NHTSA stating the studies are third party and not from NHTSA. therefore a conclusion also can be made no one is checking the methods or data to see other then it sounding possible is there a factual link or just what could be to the studies

#11 tom on 04/16/12 at 12:25 PM [Reply]

316 has to many speeders that are busy with phone conversations and\or texting! = dangerous.

#11.1 316 Blame to spread around on 04/16/12 at 07:53 PM [Reply]

Well, First, these are 2006-2008 Statistics in 2012, Yes big government at work, 4-6 YEARS OLD!!

The Road design is Flawed, as it gives you the "Interstate feel", then throws you a sudden BUSY Intersection. This is 100% the DOT and the people under the GOLD DOME in downtown Atlanta's fault, PERIOD. They CUT CORNERS and Now we Pay with our WALLETS & LIVES.

Speeders or not, deaths would be LESS if the road was right.

I agree, GET OFF THE PHONE & and, and PAY ATTENTION, that is the BIGGEST CAUSE: NOT PAYING ATTENTON.

#12 Anonymous on 04/17/12 at 10:09 AM [Reply]

To the one that psoted drive in the right lane is law.
What if you need to make a left turn off 316, give the left turn finger to the tailgator that is one phone as one slows down??

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