Georgia

Georgia ranks in top five states with most responsible drivers

Published

2 years ago

April 15, 2024

Georgia ranks in top five states with most responsible drivers

IN OTHER NEWS – In a new study analyzing fatal road accident causes, Georgia ranks in the top five states with the most responsible drivers.

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Mississippi has been named the state with the most responsible drivers, according to a new study analyzing the causes of fatal road accidents
Florida takes second place – while Nebraska, Georgia, and Tennessee round out the top five
The findings follow a new analysis of traffic data reported by the NHTSA over a five-year period

A new study of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has revealed that Mississippi has the most responsible drivers in the US.

The research conducted by personal injury attorneys Injured in Florida analyzed road traffic accident data from 2017-2021 relating to four key scenarios, which have been recorded as contributing factors resulting in fatal accidents. The factors considered as displaying ‘irresponsibility’ on behalf of the driver are a distracted driver, a drowsy driver, speeding or hit-and-run.

These recorded events were compared to the number of fatal road accidents, which did not involve any of the factors, to find the states with the lowest rate of accidents attributed to irresponsibility and, therefore, the most responsible drivers.

Mississippi is the state with the most responsible drivers, according to the data. In the period studied, the state experienced a total of 3,167 fatal road accidents, but only 638 recorded one of the considered contributing factors. This accounts for only 20.15% of all accidents reported – the lowest in the US and less than half the US average of 44.82%.

According to the study, Florida has the second most responsible drivers in America, with 25.47% of fatal road accidents reported to have involved an identified contributing factor. This percentage equates to 3,907 out of a total of 15,342 fatal accidents in the state.

Nebraska has the third most responsible drivers, as identified by the study. Over the five-year period, the state experienced 1,032 fatal traffic accidents in total, and the number of recorded incidences of distracted drivers, drowsy drivers, speeding or hit-and-run remained low at 263, or 25.48% overall.

Fourth is Georgia, with 28.38% of fatal road accidents having been reported to have involved one of the four contributing factors. This equates to 2,104 out of 7,413 total fatal accidents in the state.

Rounding out the top five states with the most responsible drivers is Tennessee, as the state reported 1,521 fatal accidents over the five years analyzed. This accounts for 28.68% of the total 5,304 fatal accidents in the state.

The states with the most responsible drivers

Rank	State	Fatal Crashes Involving a Distracted Driver / Drowsy Driver / Speeding / Hit-and-Run	Not Involving a Contributing Factor	Total	Percentage of Fatal Crashes that Involving a Contributing Factor
1	Mississippi	638	2,529	3,167	20.15%
2	Florida	3,907	11,435	15,342	25.47%
3	Nebraska	263	769	1,032	25.48%
4	Georgia	2,104	5,309	7,413	28.38%
5	Tennessee	1,521	3,783	5,304	28.68%
6	Iowa	453	1,091	1,544	29.34%
7	Arkansas	831	1,833	2,664	31.19%
8	South Dakota	200	372	572	34.97%
9	Indiana	1,443	2,601	4,044	35.68%
10	Oklahoma	1,160	1,921	3,081	37.65%

In contrast, the data revealed that New Mexico is the state with the least responsible drivers, with the highest rate of fatal traffic accidents in the nation, involving one of the four identified contributing factors.

The study found that an overwhelming 84.62% of the 1,853 fatal road accidents in New Mexico involve either a distracted driver, drowsy driver, speeding or hit-and-run – this is almost twice the US average.

Following closely behind is Hawaii, which experienced 483 fatal car accidents over the five years. Of these, 387, or 80.12%, were recorded to have involved one of the four identified factors.

The study found Illinois rank with the third least responsible drivers as the percentage of fatal accidents caused by an ‘irresponsible’ contributing factor remained high at 60.47% – or 3,134 of 5,183 of total fatal accidents.

Washington follows with 58.90% or 1,578 out of 2,679, and Alaska takes the fifth spot, with 56.92% of the 318 fatal road accidents between 2017 and 2021 involving one of the four contributing factors analyzed in the study.

The states with the least responsible drivers

Rank	State	Fatal Crashes Involving a Distracted Driver / Drowsy Driver / Speeding / Hit-and-Run	Not Involving a Contributing Factor	Total	Percentage of Fatal Crashes that Involving a Contributing Factor
1	New Mexico	1,568	285	1,853	84.62%
2	Hawaii	387	96	483	80.12%
3	Illinois	3,134	2,049	5,183	60.47%
4	Washington	1,578	1,101	2,679	58.90%
5	Alaska	181	137	318	56.92%
6	Rhode Island	177	136	313	56.55%
7	Colorado	1,623	1,322	2,945	55.11%
8	Wyoming	293	248	541	54.16%
9	South Carolina	2,648	2,249	4,897	54.07%
10	Missouri	2,357	2,020	4,377	53.85%

A spokesperson for Injured in Florida commented on the findings:

“Some car accidents can be unavoidable; however, the study highlights that a number of scenarios contribute to road accidents that could be prevented. Drivers must remember that they have a responsibility to drive with care and full attention whilst adhering strictly to driving laws.

“When behind the wheel, drivers must ensure they are fully alert and aware of their surroundings, maintaining a legal and suitable speed for the road type to deter increasing the chances of an unfortunate accident to occur. This should be maintained at all times, including at night or when roads are quiet, when the risk that drivers become complacent may increase.”

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Georgia

South Georgia honors Officer Caleb Abney

Published

8 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

South Georgia honors Officer Caleb Abney

VALDOSTA Ga. (WALB) – Family, friends, and law enforcement agencies from across South Georgia gathered at Martin Stadium to remember Officer Caleb Abney.

First responders from across the region stood alongside Abney’s family as Lowndes County opened the stadium for the service.

Lowndes County Board member Chris Buescher said community attendance was important.

“Obviously, these first responders give their all to our community. It is important to come out and support them. We are all heartbroken as a community as one Lowndes family,” Buescher said.

South Georgia honors Officer Caleb Abney(WALB NEWS 10)

Abney’s ties to the community

Buescher noted Abney’s deep roots in Lowndes County, describing his connection to the area beyond his role in law enforcement.

“Caleb was not only a first responder in terms of the fire department, a police officer. He was a former Lowndes County High graduate. He was a former Georgia Bridgeman. So he marched on this very field that these last respects were paid to. So his mom and dad were big volunteers within the school system. So it is important to recognize the sacrifices these first responders make for all of us in the community,” Buescher said.

Procession travels through Lowndes County

The procession exited Lowndes High School and traveled through several roadways across the area. Family members, guests, and first responders made their way to Fellowship Baptist Church.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

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Georgia

Man accused of raping University of Georgia student, police say

Published

20 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Man accused of raping University of Georgia student, police say

ATHENS, Ga. – A 19-year-old is facing assault-related charges after police said he raped a University of Georgia student early Saturday morning while she was walking home.

What we know:

Tydarius Wingfield of Athens allegedly approached the student in the area of 400 North Thomas Street just before 1:40 a.m. and asked to walk her home.

Wingfield and the victim did not know each other.

Wingfield then forced the woman behind a building where he sexually assaulted her, police said.

Investigators used the Real Time Crime Center’s camera system to see where the assault happened and track the victim and Wingfield’s movements. Officers continued tracking Wingfield until his arrest and positively identified him using the RTCC technology.

He is charged with rape, kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery and battery.

An investigation is ongoing.

What we don’t know:

It is unclear whether the victim was taken to the hospital after being attacked.

What you can do:

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Burgamy at Charles.Burgamy@accgov.com or 762-400-7173.

The Source: Information in this report comes from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

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Georgia

Georgia’s Iranian community reacts to death of Ayatollah Khamenei

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Georgia’s Iranian community reacts to death of Ayatollah Khamenei

ATLANTA – As conflict intensifies between the United States, Israel and Iran, reactions are pouring in across the Atlanta metro area after President Donald Trump confirmed the death of Iran’s supreme leader.

The president confirmed on Truth Social that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint strike led by the U.S. and Israel.

What they’re saying:

“I have been waiting to hear this news for the last 20 years,” said Dr. Sasan Tavassoli, an Atlanta-based pastor born in Iran.

“Ayatollah Khamenei has been responsible for the killing of tens of thousands of Iranians over the last three decades. He has been a very evil dictator and a very oppressive tyrant.”

Other local Iranians, like Shohreh Mir, expressed a long-standing desire for internal change rather than outside intervention.

“This was an imposed war,” Mir said. “We still very much would like for Iranian people to change the regime by themselves.”

What’s next:

Tavassoli said the Ayatollah’s death now creates a new issue.

“Ayatollah Khamenei never invested in raising a succession after himself,” he said, “so the crisis of the Iranian revolution and the Iranian regime is there is no legitimate successor.”

While the long-term duration of the conflict remains unknown, Iran has already begun launching retaliatory strikes following the attack.

“This is a huge development for day one, but the war is not over,” Tavassoli noted. “There are still many ways that things can become even more bloody and destructive in the coming days and weeks.”

The Source: Information in this article came from FOX 5’s Rey Llerena speaking with Iranian Americans across Georgia.

IranDonald J. TrumpNewsPolitics

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