Atlanta continues to struggle with pedestrian safety, particularly along high-traffic corridors that were designed with vehicles—not foot traffic—in mind. Several intersections and roadways have developed a reputation for being especially hazardous, with a concerning number of injuries and fatalities reported each year.
This article outlines the most dangerous pedestrian areas in the Atlanta metro and explains the underlying causes of risk, along with recent efforts to improve safety. If you or a loved one has been injured in one of these areas, understanding the environment can be key in holding the right parties accountable.
Buford Highway remains Georgia’s deadliest road for pedestrians
Buford Highway has long been considered the most dangerous road for pedestrians in Georgia. On average, approximately 30 pedestrians are killed and another 250 are injured each year along this corridor. Spanning seven lanes, the highway was constructed with high-speed vehicle traffic in mind and offers minimal pedestrian protection.
Crosswalks are often spaced up to a mile apart, lighting is inadequate in many areas, and numerous bus stops are located directly adjacent to fast-moving traffic. Drivers regularly exceed the 45 mph speed limit, and pedestrians are left to navigate wide stretches without safe crossing options.
Demographic shifts in recent years have contributed to increased pedestrian traffic along Buford Highway, particularly among lower-income residents who rely on walking or public transit. While some improvements have been made—including new medians, sidewalks, and pedestrian signals over a 2.3-mile segment—the majority of the 8-mile stretch remains dangerous. Most fatalities occur at night and are most frequent during the fall months.
Memorial Drive and North Hairston Road is one of Georgia’s most crash-prone intersections
Located in Stone Mountain, the intersection of Memorial Drive and North Hairston Road consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous in metro Atlanta. This crossing sees between 22 and 24 traffic collisions each month. Pedestrian and vehicle traffic alike are affected by the volume, complexity, and poor design of this heavily commercial area.
Hazards at this intersection include poor signal visibility, short light cycles, aggressive turns, and numerous entry and exit points from nearby gas stations and retail stores. Past incidents include a pedestrian death in October 2017 and a MARTA bus crash in September 2016 that hospitalized 13 people.
Despite a posted speed limit of 45 mph, drivers frequently misjudge gaps in traffic when making left turns or attempting to cross multiple lanes, leading to frequent and often severe crashes. The layout lacks adequate pedestrian refuge areas and is not conducive to safe crossing on foot.
Peachtree Street and 14th Street highlight risks in high-traffic urban corridors
The intersection of Peachtree Street and 14th Street, at the heart of Midtown, presents a serious risk to pedestrians and cyclists. This corridor serves as a key connector between West Midtown and the central business district, carrying a high volume of multimodal traffic. On average, the intersection sees two pedestrian collisions and one cyclist crash each year, in addition to 16 left-turn-related vehicle accidents.
To address these issues, the Georgia Department of Transportation is preparing to launch a $4 million infrastructure improvement project. It includes the construction of a protected two-way cycle track along 14th Street, running from Northside Drive to West Peachtree Street.
In addition, the city plans to improve Peachtree Street under its Moving Atlanta Forward initiative, which includes a permanent redesign based on the Shared Peachtree pilot program. This project is scheduled to begin in 2025 and reflects Atlanta’s broader commitment to safer street design through its Action Plan for Safer Streets, a two-year, $5 million investment intended to triple the city’s protected bike lane mileage.
Know your rights if you were hit as a pedestrian
Many of Atlanta’s most dangerous intersections and roads share a common issue: they were not designed for pedestrian use. When city planning, outdated infrastructure, or poor traffic enforcement contribute to a pedestrian injury or death, multiple parties may be held liable—including drivers, property owners, and government entities.