How Common Are Traffic Accidents Near the Atlanta Airport?

If you drive, rideshare, or take a taxi around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), it’s natural to wonder: how many accidents on average happen by the Atlanta airport, and how risky are the roads in that area?

While there isn’t a single, simple public number that says “X accidents per year at ATL,” local traffic patterns, law enforcement data, and how the road network is built around the airport all point to one clear reality:

Below is a practical breakdown of what that means for drivers and visitors, which roads are most involved, when and why accidents tend to happen, and what you can do if you’re involved in a crash near ATL.

Can You Get an Exact Average Number of Accidents by the Atlanta Airport?

There isn’t a single publicly posted figure that states “this many crashes per year next to ATL.” Instead, crashes are logged and tracked by:

• Location (highways, ramps, surface streets)
• Jurisdiction (City of Atlanta, Clayton County, College Park, etc.)
• Reporting agency (Atlanta Police Department, College Park Police, Georgia State Patrol, and others)

Because of that, “by the Atlanta airport” covers a wide area, including:

• Sections of I-75, I-85, and I-285 around the airport
• Airport access roads like Camp Creek Parkway, Airport Boulevard, and Sullivan Road
• Nearby city streets in College Park, Hapeville, and East Point

What traffic and police data consistently show in the Atlanta area is:

• High-volume highway corridors like I-75/I-85 near the airport see frequent crashes, often multiple incidents per day during peak travel periods.
• Complex interchanges and ramps (such as where I-85 and I-285 meet south of the city, and the web of ramps leading into ATL terminals and parking) have a higher concentration of fender benders and lane-change collisions.
• Surface roads feeding the airport (particularly Camp Creek Parkway and Riverdale Road) are also common locations for rear-end crashes and turning collisions.

So while you won’t find one neat “average accidents per year” number for the airport alone, it’s reasonable to treat the ATL area as a higher-risk driving zone compared to quieter parts of metro Atlanta, simply because of the traffic volume, visitor unfamiliarity, and constant merging.

Where Do Most Accidents Happen Around ATL?

When Atlanta-area drivers talk about “accidents by the airport,” they’re usually referring to a few major trouble spots.

1. Interstates and Major Interchanges Near ATL

I-75 / I-85 South (The Downtown Connector south of the city)
This stretch carries a mix of:

• Commuters driving to and from Atlanta
• Long-distance travelers heading to/from Florida and other states
• Commercial trucks serving the airport and warehouse areas

Common crash types:

• Rear-end collisions in stop-and-go traffic
• Sideswipes during lane changes and merges
• Multi-vehicle pileups during heavy congestion or bad weather

I-285 South (Perimeter around the Airport Vicinity)
The southern arc of I-285 is one of the busiest freight and commuter corridors in the metro area, with multi-lane interchanges that connect to I-75, I-85, and access roads to the airport.

Typical risks:

• High speeds combined with last-minute lane changes for exits
• Truck-related accidents in dense traffic
• Crashes where drivers misjudge speed or following distance in heavy flow

2. Airport Access Roads

Several main roads feed into ATL’s domestic and international terminals:

• Domestic Terminal: Access via Camp Creek Parkway, I-85, and I-285, then onto Aviation Boulevard, Airport Boulevard, and terminal loops.
• International Terminal: Mainly accessed via I-75 and Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal Parkway.

On these roads, accidents often involve:

• Stopping or slowing unexpectedly at confusing signs or near terminal curb areas
• Merging misunderstandings where lanes split among parking, rental car, and terminal traffic
• Rideshare and taxi pick-up/drop-off maneuvers near curbs or in the wrong lane

3. Nearby Surface Streets and Commercial Zones

Areas just outside the airport property also see a steady number of crashes, particularly:

• Camp Creek Parkway (State Route 6) near the Camp Creek Marketplace and surrounding hotels and restaurants
• Virginia Avenue in Hapeville and College Park
• Riverdale Road and Sullivan Road near airport employee parking and off-site lots

On these streets, you’ll more often see:

• Left-turn and right-turn collisions at busy intersections
• Parking lot accidents around hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers
• Crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists in mixed-use areas

Why Are Accident Rates Higher Around the Atlanta Airport?

Several factors combine to make the ATL area more crash-prone than an average neighborhood street.

1. Extremely High Traffic Volume

Hartsfield-Jackson is consistently one of the busiest airports in the world. That means:

• Thousands of rental cars, taxis, rideshares, and private vehicles cycling in and out daily
• A constant flow of delivery vehicles and commercial trucks
• Surges in traffic during holiday weekends, major events, and peak travel seasons

The sheer number of vehicles increases the chance of fender benders and more serious collisions.

2. Drivers Who Are Unfamiliar With the Area

Many people driving near the airport are:

• Visitors to Atlanta
• Drivers from out of state
• Locals who don’t normally drive in that part of town

Unfamiliar drivers are more likely to:

• Brake or swerve suddenly when they realize they’re in the wrong lane
• Miss signs or exits, then try to cut across lanes
• Get confused by the complex layout of terminals, rental car facilities, and parking decks

This confusion frequently leads to rear-end and lane-change accidents.

3. Complex Road Design and Frequent Merging

The roads around ATL involve:

• Multiple lane splits between terminals, parking areas, and return ramps
• Short distances between one decision point and the next
• Repeated entrances and exits where drivers weave and merge

These conditions often produce:

• Sideswipes
• Collisions from unsafe lane changes or merges
• Crashes where one driver assumes another will yield

4. Heavy Commercial and Truck Traffic

The area south and west of the airport includes:

• Cargo facilities
• Warehouses and distribution centers
• Hotel and restaurant supply routes

Larger vehicles and commercial trucks can increase:

• The severity of crashes, due to size and weight
• The risk in blind spots if passenger vehicles hang too close

5. Time Pressure and Distraction

Drivers in the airport area are often:

• Rushing to make a flight
• Looking at GPS directions or airport signage
• Trying to coordinate pickups or drop-offs via phone

This means more:

• Distracted driving
• Abrupt stops and last-minute lane changes
• Tailgating or speeding to “catch the terminal in time”

When Do Most Accidents Near ATL Happen?

Patterns around the Atlanta airport tend to mirror broader metro-Atlanta trends, with a few extra twists.

Busy Times of Day

Accidents are more common:

• Weekday morning rush (roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.) on I-75/I-85 and I-285
• Weekday evening rush (about 3:30–7:00 p.m.)
• Periods of heavy flight traffic, when many flights arrive or depart within a short window

Days and Seasons

You’ll typically see more crashes:

• On Fridays and Sundays, when many people are traveling to and from Atlanta
• Around major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year’s, Memorial Day, etc.)
• During severe weather events like heavy rain, thunderstorms, or icy mornings

Is It Safe to Drive Around the Atlanta Airport?

For most people, driving around the airport is reasonably safe as long as you stay alert and patient. The area does see a higher than average number of minor crashes, but the majority are:

• Low-speed
• Property-damage-only
• Related to congestion and confusion rather than reckless driving alone

Some drivers feel more stress near ATL due to:

• Tight lanes and fast-moving traffic
• Dense signage and sudden exits
• Pressure from other drivers

If you’re not comfortable driving in heavy traffic, you might consider:

• Taking MARTA (the Airport Station is directly attached to the domestic terminal)
• Using a shuttle from a hotel or parking lot
• Using a rideshare service or taxi so you aren’t navigating the roads yourself

Practical Tips to Avoid Accidents Near ATL 🚗

If you need to drive around Hartsfield-Jackson, these strategies can meaningfully lower your risk:

Before You Go

• Plan your route in advance. Know whether you’re heading to the Domestic or International terminal and which interstates you’ll use.
• Build in extra time. Arrive early enough that you don’t feel pressure to speed or weave through traffic.
• Check traffic and weather. Congestion and storms can change how long it takes to get to the airport.

While Driving

• Stay in your lane early. Get into the correct lane for your exit or terminal as soon as you can; avoid last-second cross-lane moves.
• Follow signs calmly. ATL signage is dense; slow slightly and read rather than swerving at the last second.
• Use turn signals clearly and early. Let other drivers know where you’re going well before you move.
• Keep a safe following distance. Expect sudden braking, especially near ramps and terminal approaches.
• Avoid phone use. Program GPS and handle calls before you get into the airport zone.
• Be extra cautious around buses and trucks. Give them more space and avoid lingering in blind spots.

What To Do If You’re in an Accident Near the Atlanta Airport

If you are involved in a crash around ATL, the steps are largely the same as anywhere in Georgia, with a few local twists.

1. Move to Safety If You Can

• If the crash is minor and vehicles are drivable, Georgia law encourages moving them to a safe location off the main travel lanes, such as the shoulder, ramp gore, or nearby parking area.
• Turn on hazard lights to alert other drivers.

2. Call 911

Around the airport, 911 calls may be answered by:

• Atlanta 911 (for City of Atlanta jurisdiction areas)
• Clayton County or College Park dispatch
• Airport operations / law enforcement, depending on the exact spot

Explain clearly:

• That you’re near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• The direction of travel (e.g., I-85 southbound near the airport exit)
• Any injuries or hazards

3. Exchange Information

Collect:

• Names and contact information of all drivers involved
• Insurance company and policy numbers
• Vehicle make, model, color, and license plate numbers
• The name and badge number of the responding officer, once on scene

4. Document the Scene

If it’s safe:

• Take photos of vehicle positions, damage, traffic signs, and road conditions.
• Note details like time, weather, and lane you were in.

5. Get a Copy of the Accident Report

Depending on the exact location, your crash report may be filed by:

• Atlanta Police Department
• College Park Police Department
• Hapeville Police Department
• Clayton County Police Department
• Georgia State Patrol

You can typically request a report:

• In person at the agency’s records division
• Online through official crash report portals used by Georgia law enforcement
• By mail, following the instructions from the responding agency

Helpful Local Contacts and Locations

If you need to follow up after a crash near the Atlanta airport, these local resources are commonly involved:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (General Info)

• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Main Information Line: 800-897-1910 (general airport information)

Note: The airport itself does not usually handle traffic crash reports; those are handled by law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the roadway where the crash occurred.

Atlanta Police Department (APD) – Central Records

• Location: 226 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Main Phone: 404-546-6900

College Park Police Department

• Address: 3717 College St, College Park, GA 30337
• Non-Emergency Line: 404-761-3131

Hapeville Police Department

• Address: 700 Doug Davis Dr, Hapeville, GA 30354
• Main Phone: 404-669-2150

Clayton County Police Department

• Address: 7911 N McDonough St, Jonesboro, GA 30236
• Main Phone: 770-477-3747

For serious injuries or emergencies, always use 911 rather than non-emergency lines.

Quick Reference: Driving Risk Snapshot Around ATL

Below is a simplified overview based on typical local patterns, not exact counts:

Bottom line for Atlanta drivers and visitors:
There isn’t a single exact “average accident number” published for roads by the Atlanta airport, but the ATL area is one of metro Atlanta’s busier and more collision-prone zones due to traffic volume, complex interchanges, and many drivers who are unfamiliar with the roads. With extra time, careful lane planning, and patience, you can significantly reduce your risk while traveling to, from, or around Hartsfield-Jackson.