The number of people hit and killed by drivers in Atlanta in 2022 jumped more than 20% over the previous year — "a shocking rise, one that is even more dramatic than an already tragic national trend," according to a nonprofit advocate for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Driving the news: A new report by Propel ATL found that Atlanta lags behind peer cities on traffic and pedestrian safety and has plenty of room for improvement.

• More than two-thirds of pedestrian fatalities occurred in predominantly Black neighborhoods.

Catch up quick: Empty roads during the height of the pandemic encouraged fast and reckless driving, putting people who can't afford, don't want, or can't use an automobile at greater risk of injury or death.

• The end result: Already unsafe streets with nonexistent or subpar sidewalks and built-for-speed roads became even deadlier.

Zoom in: 60% of bicyclist and pedestrian crashes happened on Atlanta's High-Injury Network — local streets where a disproportionate number of pedestrian fatalities occur and City Hall's priority for safety improvements.

• Street overhauls that give more room to bicyclists, pedestrians and people using wheelchairs are planned for Peachtree, Courtland and other streets with high amounts of crashes and fatalities.

State routes maintained by the Georgia Department of Transportation — think Northside Drive, Moreland Avenue and other thoroughfares that prioritize automobile traffic — saw 38% of bicycle and pedestrian crashes.

Zoom out: Traffic fatalities and pedestrian deaths also increased in Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties, the report says.

What they're saying: In the short term, Propel ATL executive director Rebecca Serna told Axios that the city can use special traffic signals to turn on the walk signal at least three seconds before drivers get a green light.

• In the mid- to long-term, the city should build its planned transportation projects, like Moving Atlanta Forward, more efficiently, she said.

Of note: No bicyclists were killed in 2022, according to Propel's research. The nonprofit attributes the positive statistic to Atlanta's investment in new protected bike lanes.

Yes, but: Drivers failed to stop in more than 30% of bicyclist crashes.

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About 31% of bar and restaurant transactions across Atlanta using Square have occurred between 7pm and 4am so far in 2023, according to data from the point-of-sale company.

• That's down from 34% from last year, but up 29% from 2019 — before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Driving the news: Atlanta walks a delicate line balancing public safety and nightlife, which is one of its most undervalued and important industries, Thomas writes.

• During a City Council meeting last year after the creation of the city's nightlife division, rapper Killer Mike called Atlanta nightlife a billion-dollar industry.
• Yes, but: Atlanta's nightlife scene has also dwindled from what it was two decades ago, Kristal writes.

The big picture: There are some signs that we're becoming a "nation of early birds," as the Wall Street Journal recently put it, partly because the pandemic shifted how we spend our time.

• One contributing factor: "Hybrid and remote workers itching to leave the house as soon as they close their laptops," the Wall Street Journal reports.
• Resy data recently shared with Axios shows that 5pm dinner reservations are more popular now than in the last five years.

Of note: Square can't capture all transactions across all venues in a given city — it only knows about those made using its platform and tech.

• Still, its use is widespread enough for its data to point to broad trends.

The bottom line: The trends in Atlanta's nightlife spending will likely contribute to whether the city changes the closing hours of its bars.

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The holiday season is here, and local cities are lighting up Christmas trees in anticipation of Santa Claus coming to town.

Here's where you can check out gigantic Christmas trees near you.

Midtown: Colony Square is hosting a holiday spectacular on Dec. 1.

• Of note: Atlantic Station lit up the mixed-use district's tree on Nov. 18.

Buckhead: People can peruse Buckhead Village's Christkindl Market. The 24-foot tree in Charlie Loudermilk Park lights up on Dec. 2 (or head down the street to the Atlanta History Center to view a 50-foot beauty).

Zoom out: Alpharetta, Hapeville, Lawrenceville and other metro communities have already switched on the lights. Here's what cities have scheduled elsewhere.

Nov. 27: College Park

Nov. 30: Marietta Square

Dec. 1: Roswell, Suwanee

Dec. 2: Johns Creek

Dec. 3: Sandy Springs, Clarkston

Dec. 6: Brookhaven

Dec. 7: Decatur Square, Vinings

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The holiday season is in full swing, and it's time to unpack those decorations and pick out the perfect tree to adorn with Christmas cheer.

Axios Atlanta would love to know what you're doing to prepare for the holidays.

• Where do you buy your Christmas tree?
• Where do you indulge in holiday shopping?
• What's your favorite Christmas movie?

Hit reply, and let us know everything that makes this season special for you and your family.

Atlanta police last week released body camera footage of an August traffic stop that led to the tasing death of 62-year-old deacon Johnny Hollman Sr. (Axios)

🛑 Local leaders in the small city of Madison, east of Atlanta, stalled plans for a massive distribution center in one of the state's fast-growing industrial hubs along I-20. (AJC)

🦐 Coastal Georgia's shrimping communities fear their industry is waning as they compete with low-cost, imported shrimp from countries such as Ecuador, India, and Indonesia. (The Current)

💰 Tyler Perry's former Atlanta mansion from "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" sold at an auction this month. (Fox 5)

🏥 On Sept. 29, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta plans to open its $1.5 billion Brookhaven facility, the Arthur M. Blank Hospital, at the northeastern corner of North Druid Hills and I-85. (Atlanta Business Chronicle 🔒)