While car accidents claimed the lives of four individuals over the 2011 Christmas weekend in Georgia, there are still some signs that state roads have become safer with time.

The accident rate on Georgia highways has dropped for the last five years, and with the pace the state was on late into 2011, it was on track to see yet another drop. As of Dec. 19, 2011, there were 62 less traffic fatalities than there were at that time in 2010. In 2010, the state witnessed 1,244 highway deaths throughout the state, which plummeted 3.7 percent from 2009. In fact, this has been the trend since 2006, which followed a horrendous 2005, which set a record with 1,744 highway deaths.

The long holiday travel weekend showed why that continued diligence is needed, as Cobb County Police reported two traffic fatalities in addition to others from Atlanta and Wilkes County. This period of driving always proves to be especially hazardous. During the same time in 2010, Georgia saw three fatalities, 641 crashes and 387 injuries.

It is no coincidence that Georgia law enforcement implemented its Strategic Highway Safety Plan in 2006, exactly when the trend began. This initiative focused on raising public awareness for safe driving along with making the highways safer with things like cable barriers in the center median and rumble strips.

But it's important to remember that while statistics may show the roads are getting safer, that improvement requires drivers to maintain vigilance and not do anything reckless like driving drunk.

Source: Roswell Patch, "Four die in holiday traffic accidents across Georgia," Dec. 27, 2011