The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has received $2,862,037 in funding from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). The grants are provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered through GOHS.
Kathleen E. Toomey, commissioner of DPH, stated, “This long-standing, unique partnership between Highway Safety and Public Health helps promote a safer Georgia. This programmatic support has made a difference for Georgians and continues to save lives and prevent injuries.”
The funding recognizes the success of programs in Georgia aimed at protecting public health. Allen Poole, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, said, “Innovative projects like these are designed with the intent for Georgia and our nation to reach the realistic goal of zero traffic deaths by the middle of this century. Each life saved on our roads is one less family that will have to live with the pain of losing a loved one whose life was taken from them in a traffic crash that was completely preventable.”
The grant period runs from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.
In 2023, there were 1,615 motor vehicle traffic fatalities in Georgia. This number represents a 10% decrease compared to 2022 but still places Georgia fourth nationally for traffic fatalities. Data shows that unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants are nearly 6.4 times more likely to be fatally injured than those who are restrained. Nearly half (47%) of those killed were not using restraints at the time of their crashes.
More information about injury prevention can be found on the DPH website or at https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/.
