Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)

Overview

The Georgia FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) Office is currently located within the Crash Reporting Unit of the Georgia Department of Transportation. The unit is physically located in Atlanta, Georgia in the Wayne Shackleford Building along with the state Transportation Management Center. All law enforcement agencies are currently required to submit their Georgia Uniform Motor Vehicle Accident Reports (DOT-523) for fatal crashes to the Department of Transportation within seven days of the event.

Details on all traffic fatalities investigated by Law Enforcement Agencies are received via teletype, fax or phone. In some cases, the fatality is not reported and a death certificate or other state agency may provide information. It is the responsibility of Georgia FARS to collect and transmit as much accurate and complete data on fatal traffic crashes to NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) Headquarters in Washington, DC to provide the national system with the data it needs to evaluate and improve highway safety.

FARS Program Information

• FARS Analyst Positions

  Georgia currently has two full-time FARS Analysts. The FARS Analyst is responsible for coordinating and managing the receipt of all state source documents used to complete a FARS Case. The FARS Analyst interprets, analyzes, codes and transmits data on all state final traffic accidents to the FARS computerized files for NHTSA. The incumbent must have considerable knowledge of motor vehicle laws and the FARS program, and must use independent judgment and analysis in performing many of the job functions. Duties and responsibilities of the FARS Analyst currently include the ability to interpret, analyze, code and transmit data on all state fatal traffic accidents to FARS computerized files for NHTSA.

• Recordkeeping

  FARS information includes notifications, death certificate, investigating officers supplemental, EMS responses, out-of-state responses and location information. The actual FARS cases are kept in the office for three years. The Crash Reporting Unit maintains all crash reports on microfilm for a period of ten years as per the department's current retention schedule.

  • Fatal Accident Reporting Process

Contact Information

For more information please contact the FARS Unit at:

Phone: (404) 635-2825 
Fax: (404) 635-2963