Fatal crashes in Polk County, Georgia
In 2024, 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Polk County, Georgia, down from 12 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 86 fatal crashes and 89 deaths, the 42nd most of 159 counties in Georgia.
Deaths in Polk County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 6 |
| 2023 | 12 | 12 |
| 2022 | 8 | 8 |
| 2021 | 12 | 13 |
| 2020 | 12 | 12 |
| 2019 | 8 | 8 |
| 2018 | 5 | 5 |
| 2017 | 7 | 7 |
| 2016 | 12 | 13 |
| 2015 | 4 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Polk County
US 278 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 14 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 50% of all fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 3 state highways. 60% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 40% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 278 | 13 | 14 | 5 | |
| 2 | US 27 | 9 | 9 | 2 | |
| 3 | State Highway 1 | 8 | 9 | 3 | |
| 4 | State Highway 101 | 7 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
Cedartown had 35% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 30 of 86.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Cedartown 30, Rockmart 14. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen in Polk County
86 fatal crashes in Polk County, Georgia from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 pm; the worst month is June.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 7.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 7.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.0%
- Feb8.1%
- Mar10.5%
- Apr8.1%
- May9.3%
- Jun12.8%
- Jul5.8%
- Aug4.7%
- Sep5.8%
- Oct12.8%
- Nov4.7%
- Dec10.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Polk County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 37%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 37%, a rollover in 12%, a pedestrian in 11%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 32 | 37% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 32 | 37% |
| Rollover | 10 | 12% |
| Pedestrian | 9 | 11% |
| Other | 2 | 2.3% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Polk County compare with Georgia
The largest difference from Georgia: from 2015 to 2024, 50% of fatal crashes in Polk County were on rural roads, against 36% across Georgia. Also above the Georgia share: motorcycles. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Georgia. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 86 crashes.
| Polk | Georgia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 50% | 36% | above the Georgia share |
| At or near an intersection | 28% | 24% | about the same as the Georgia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 45% | 37% | about the same as the Georgia share |
| A drinking driver | 14% | 20% | about the same as the Georgia share |
| Speeding | 20% | 19% | about the same as the Georgia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 0.0% | 4.2% | about the same as the Georgia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 56% | 49% | about the same as the Georgia share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.8% | 5.3% | about the same as the Georgia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 12% | above the Georgia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 10% | 17% | about the same as the Georgia share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Questions about fatal crashes in Polk County, Georgia
- How many people died in car accidents in Polk County in 2024?
- 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Polk County, Georgia, in 2024, down from 12 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Polk County?
- US 278 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 14 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Polk County involved a drinking driver?
- 12 of 86 fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 14%, against 20% across Georgia.
Other counties in Georgia with a page
- Fulton County
- DeKalb County
- Cobb County
- Gwinnett County
- Clayton County
- Chatham County
- Bibb County
- Richmond County
- Henry County
- Hall County
- Bartow County
- Muscogee County
All fatal crashes in Georgia, with every county ranked.
Where the Polk County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Polk County (county code 233). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/georgia/polk-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”