ATLANTA — Georgia has some of the most dangerous rainy driving conditions in the country, according to a recent report.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data compiled by the personal injury firm Richmond Vona looked at how often fatal car crashes occurred in the rain, as a percentage of overall fatal car crashes, in every state.
In Georgia in 2020, 11.3% of the state's 1,522 fatal crashes (172) occurred in rainy conditions. That was higher than all but five other states.
"Poor weather is present in one in ten fatal crashes across the U.S., bumping up annual figures by thousands each year. The poorest driving conditions happened mostly outside the South, where rain and snow are more common. The light condition was less important; most crashes happened during daylight, regardless of the weather," a spokesman for the firm said in a statement. "While poor weather can make driving dangerous, the biggest determining factor is always the driver and how responsible they are behind the wheel. Drivers should take extra care this Thanksgiving as roads will be busy, and weather could be severe."
According to the rankings, West Virginia (13%), Virginia (12.8%), Kentucky (11.9%), Arkansas (11.5%) and Washington (11.4%) had higher rates of fatal crashes in rainy weather than Georgia.
Georgia was followed in the top 10 by Maryland, North Carolina, Oregon and Alabama.
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