According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, 35 fatalities were reported in 2019 in Bibb County alone. In the 5 years since 2015, there has been an increase of almost 67 percent in fatal traffic accidents.
So far in 2021, there have already been 2 fatal accidents in Bibb County that occurred within a few days of each other.
Pedestrian accident fatality on Eisenhower Parkway
On Friday, January 22, Madena Hargrove was struck by a vehicle while walking on Eisenhower Parkway just after 7:00 am. Hargrove, 35, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition where she died of her injures shortly before 4:00 pm that same day.
According to the statement by sheriff’s officials, the driver traveling in the left lane didn’t see Hargrove “until she stepped onto the roadway.” The accident is still under investigation.
Auto accident fatality on Bowman Rd.
A few days later, on Monday, January 25, Marcy Jill Sanders was driving a Nissan around 9:00 pm when officials believe she lost control of the vehicle and spun off the roadway before overturning in a wooded area.
Coroner Leon Jones pronounced Sanders dead at the scene and an investigation of the accident is still being led by the Bibb County deputies.
What are the most dangerous roads in Bibb County?
Eisenhower Parkway.
Both accidents reported in 2019 on Eisenhower Parkway resulted in a fatality. One was a single-vehicle accident and the other involved 2 vehicles. So it seems this stretch of road is deadly for pedestrians and drivers alike.
I-75.
Numerous fatalities have occurred along I-75 with a mix of single-vehicle and multi-vehicle accidents. A few have even involved pedestrians, making this one of the most dangerous roads for drivers and pedestrians in Macon.
Pio Nono Ave.
On 2 separate occasions in 2019, a vehicle hit a pedestrian on US-SR 247, and both accidents resulted in fatalities.
Mercer University Dr.
Two accidents in 2019 were reported on SR-74. The first accident involved 2 vehicles, 3 people, and 1 fatality. The second accident, which occurred months later, involved a single vehicle, 2 pedestrians, and 2 fatalities.
US-SR 11.
Two fatalities were reported on this road from separate accidents. One involved a single vehicle while the other involved at least 2 cars. No pedestrian accidents were reported on this road in 2019.
How can Georgians reduce the number of fatal accidents?
When it comes to decreasing auto and pedestrian accidents, there’s no one right answer that can fix everything. But there are steps residents of Bibb county and Georgians across the state can take in order to make a difference.
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, 76 percent of fatal accidents in Georgia were caused by bad behavior while driving, including driving while under the influence, distracted by phones or passengers, and driving over the speed limit.
A total of 1,507 people died on Georgia’s roads in 2019, but Georgians can reduce that number in 2021 by:
Wearing a seatbelt.
Sixty percent of the 2019 fatalities on the road occurred when Georgians weren’t wearing a seatbelt. Properly securing yourself while driving a car can greatly increase your chance of surviving a serious car crash.
Minimizing distractions.
Georgia’s hands-free laws prohibit drivers from using their cell phones while on the road unless using Bluetooth to send a text message or take a phone call. Distractions also include talking to passengers inside the vehicle, fiddling with the radio, and listening to music.
Driving alert.
Drowsy driving and driving under the influence can impair your vision and response time, making it easy to hit another vehicle and cause a serious, if not fatal, car crash. Make sure you’re rested before driving and don’t drive after taking certain medications or consuming alcohol.
Have you been involved in a car accident?
Are you or someone you love having a difficult time recovering from a car accident? Have you lost someone because of another driver’s negligence? A car accident is scary even under the best circumstances, but our experienced Georgia car accident lawyers can help you.
At the law firm of Westmoreland, Patterson, Moseley & Hinson, we want you to know that you don’t have to face a car accident alone. We will sit down with you during a free initial consultation and help determine if filing a claim is the best option for you.
With over 50 years serving Georgia and the southeast, our lawyers will fight to help you receive the most compensation possible. Don’t hesitate. Our offices are conveniently located in Macon, Albany, and Warner Robins.