Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers | October 30, 2025 | Car Accidents
Drunk driving remains a leading cause of fatal crashes across the U.S., including in Georgia. In 2022, alcohol-impaired driving was responsible for nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Impaired drivers are more likely to engage in reckless behavior and have slower reaction times—making them a serious danger on the road.
Georgia DUI Laws: The Basics
Georgia law makes it illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For most adult drivers, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more is considered over the legal limit. Commercial drivers are held to a stricter standard of 0.04%, while drivers under 21 can be charged with DUI for any detectable alcohol in their system.
Being “impaired” isn’t limited to BAC levels. Even drivers under the legal limit may face DUI charges if their ability to drive is compromised by alcohol or drugs.
How Common Is Drunk Driving in Georgia?
Despite strict laws, impaired driving remains a persistent issue in Georgia. Here’s a breakdown of recent trends:
- 2020: Of the 1,664 total traffic fatalities, about 25% involved a driver with alcohol in their system. Most of these drivers had a BAC above 0.08%.
- 2022: Georgia reported 509 alcohol-related traffic fatalities.
- 2023: Fatal alcohol-related crashes decreased slightly to 433, though this still represented 26% of the state’s 1,491 total fatal crashes.
- Geographic reach: In 2023, 117 out of Georgia’s 159 counties—nearly 75%—reported at least one fatal alcohol-involved crash.
These numbers show that while there has been a slight improvement, impaired driving continues to have a broad and deadly impact across the state.
When and Where Do Alcohol-Impaired Crashes Occur?
Drunk driving crashes in Georgia tend to occur more frequently under certain conditions and in specific locations. Most fatal impaired driving accidents happen at night and on weekends. Just 2% of these crashes occur at dawn or dusk.
Historically, about 40% of Georgia’s alcohol-related traffic fatalities occurred in the Atlanta metro area. However, that changed in 2023. That year, 35% of alcohol-related fatal crashes happened in rural counties, while only 31% took place in metro Atlanta.
The types of roads where these fatal crashes occurred in 2023 include:
- 90 crashes on minor arterial roads
- 87 crashes on principal arterial roads
- 79 crashes on collector roads
- 70 crashes on local roads
- 61 crashes on interstates
Only 16% of the state’s alcohol-related fatal crashes occurred on interstates. In contrast, 25% of such crashes in the Atlanta metro area took place on interstate highways.
How to Stay Safe on Georgia Roads
If you want to reduce your risk of being involved in an impaired driving crash:
- Be extra cautious on weekends and at night.
- Stay alert on all types of roads—not just highways.
- Watch for erratic driving behavior, such as swerving, speeding, or delayed braking.
If you suspect another driver is impaired, keep your distance and contact local law enforcement. Never attempt to pass or confront a drunk driver on your own.
Georgia Drunk Driving Trends: What the Numbers Show
Although there was a drop in alcohol-related fatalities from 2022 to 2023, the problem persists. On average, Georgia still experienced more than one fatal drunk driving crash per day in 2023.
These incidents are happening across the state—from densely populated urban areas to remote rural counties—and on all types of roads. The data shows that impaired driving is not limited to specific locations or times, which means the risk is widespread.
If you’ve been involved in an accident, contact Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to seek help. We offer a free consultation.
We serve Fulton County and its surrounding areas:
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Atlanta
201 Joseph E Lowery Blvd NW Suite 312,
Atlanta, GA 30314
Open 24/7
(770) 900-9000
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Sandy Springs
5555 Glenridge Con, Suite 975,
Sandy Springs, GA 30342
Open 24/7
(678) 990-7024
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Lawrenceville
265 Culver St S. Suite A.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Open 24/7
(678) 626-5067
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Mableton
5701 Mableton Pkwy SW Suite 108,
Mableton, GA 30126
Open 24/7
(706) 480-5487
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Smyrna
2400 Herodian Way Ste#220,
Smyrna, GA 30080
Open 24/7
(678) 922-4497
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Roswell
110 Mansell Cir #111,
Roswell, GA 30075
Open 24/7
(678) 582-8466
About Robert M. Hammers Jr.
Robert M. Hammers, Jr. is the managing partner at Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers in Atlanta. Committed to justice, he represents individuals harmed by negligence, focusing on personal injury litigation.
With over 50 jury trials and $100 million in verdicts and settlements, Rob is known for his strategic thinking and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for his clients. He serves on the Executive Committee for the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice Board of Governors, and the Plaintiff Leadership Committee in complex multi-district and toxic tort litigations, where he advocates for injured individuals and shapes legal strategies.
Robert is also recognized on Justia for his excellence in personal injury law, further highlighting his reputation and commitment to client advocacy.
