I-285: fatal crashes in every state
From 2015 to 2024, 240 fatal crashes on I-285 killed 259 people across the 2 states it runs through, the 35th most of any interstate. In 2024 there were 19 fatal crashes and 19 deaths on the road.
I-285 by state: fatal crashes, deaths and per mile
Georgia has the most fatal crashes on I-285, 233 from 2015 to 2024. Each state's stretch is counted within that state; the per-mile figure needs 20 miles or more of road.
| State | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2024 | Miles | Per 100 miles a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-285 in Georgia | 233 | 251 | 18 | ||
| 2 | North Carolina | 7 | 8 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Mileage from the FHWA Interstate route log (table 1), the only figure here not counted from FARS.
Deaths on I-285 by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 | 19 |
| 2023 | 27 | 31 |
| 2022 | 32 | 33 |
| 2021 | 31 | 36 |
| 2020 | 34 | 35 |
| 2019 | 21 | 25 |
| 2018 | 23 | 24 |
| 2017 | 14 | 16 |
| 2016 | 19 | 19 |
| 2015 | 20 | 21 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen on I-285
The heaviest slot is Saturday, midnight to 4 am, with 24 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is midnight to 1 am; the worst month is February.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 7.1 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 5.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 4.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 3.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 10.0 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan2.5%
- Feb15.0%
- Mar8.8%
- Apr7.1%
- May8.8%
- Jun8.3%
- Jul4.6%
- Aug8.3%
- Sep7.9%
- Oct7.1%
- Nov11.7%
- Dec10.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes on I-285 first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 43%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 22%, a pedestrian in 21%, a rollover in 7.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 102 | 43% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 53 | 22% |
| Pedestrian | 51 | 21% |
| Rollover | 18 | 7.5% |
| Other | 9 | 3.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 6 | 2.5% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.4% |
| 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 on I-285 compare with the United States
A drinking driver was recorded in 23% of fatal crashes in I-285 from 2015 to 2024, below the US share of 26%; speeding in 20%, below the US share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 6.7%, about the US share; a driver recorded as distracted in 4.6%, below the US share of 8.7%; 50% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the US share of 49%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all US roads.
| I-285 | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural stretches | 1.7% | 43% | below the US share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 58% | 28% | above the US share |
| A drinking driver | 23% | 26% | below the US share |
| Speeding | 20% | 27% | below the US share |
| A distracted driver | 4.6% | 8.7% | below the US share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 50% | 49% | above the US share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.7% | 6.5% | about the same as the US share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 16% | below the US share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 24% | 17% | above the US 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 I-285
- How many fatal crashes have there been on I-285?
- 240 fatal crashes killed 259 people on I-285 from 2015 to 2024, across the 2 states it runs through. In 2024 there were 19 fatal crashes and 19 deaths.
- Which state has the most fatal crashes on I-285?
- Georgia, with 233 fatal crashes and 251 deaths from 2015 to 2024; North Carolina is second with 7.
- When do fatal crashes on I-285 happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, midnight to 4 am, with 24 fatal crashes.
Other interstates
- I-10 3,274
- I-95 2,778
- I-40 2,208
- I-75 2,062
- I-20 1,789
- I-80 1,774
- I-5 1,745
- I-35 1,531
- I-70 1,354
- I-15 1,188
- I-90 996
- I-85 922
The deadliest roads in America, every interstate ranked.
Where the I-285 numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash whose road NHTSA filed as I-285, in every state, with ramps, frontage and service roads left out. A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The full method.