Four Traffic Fatalities Mar Memorial Day Weekend

Georgia State Troopers say four people have died during this Memorial Day holiday weekend as of early Sunday afternoon.

So far they have investigated 301 crashes with 154 injuries and 3 deaths.

The GSP investigated 326 traffic crashes that resulted in 278 injuries and 6 traffic fatalities during the 2012 Memorial Day weekend, figures they hope decrease this year.

Troopers are conducting road checks, high visibility patrols and concentrated patrols across the state to watch for impaired drivers, seat belt use violators and other violations that could cause a crash, said Col. Mark W. McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety

The 78-hour Memorial Day holiday travel period began at 6 p.m. on Friday and ends at midnight on Memorial Day, according to the news release from the Georgia State Patrol. 

McDonough said troopers will not only be patrolling the interstates but the secondary roads as well. Statewide last year, law enforcement officers reported 16 traffic deaths during the holiday period. 

“We want to make holiday travel as safe as possible," McDonough said.  In addition to the traffic crash investigations last year, troopers arrested 301 people for driving under the influence while issuing 6,621 citations and 9,321 warnings.

Traffic will be heavier than normal due to traffic from graduation ceremonies, festivals, and vacation travelers adding to the normal weekend traffic flow.

“Drunk driving is dangerous and not worth the risk of killing yourself or someone else.  Remember the purpose and celebrate during the holiday period responsibly.  Always keep safety at the forefront of everything you will do,” he said.

The highest number of traffic deaths on Georgia roads during the Memorial Day holiday weekend occurred in 2005 when 32 people were killed in holiday crashes. The lowest number was recorded in 1979 when 10 people were killed.  The Georgia Department of Transportation Crash Reporting Unit began keeping statistics on Memorial Day travel in 1969.