4th of July: State Troopers Beef Up Patrols, Warn Against Impaired Driving

ATLANTA, GA -- The Georgia State Patrol is urging motorists to celebrate the 2017 Independence Day holiday safely and responsibly.

Colonel Mark McDonough, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said state troopers will step up patrols during the holiday period in an effort to keep the number of traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities as low as possible.

This year, the 102-hour holiday travel period kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, June 30 and ends at 11:59 p.m. July 4.

In 2016, state troopers investigated 404 traffic crashes that resulted in 230 injuries, and six deaths. In addition to the traffic crash investigations, 285 people were arrested for driving under the influence, while 9,082 citations and 11,967 warnings were issued. State troopers remind drivers to exercise caution in holiday travels, no matter how short the trip may be.

McDonough said drivers should obey the posted speed limit, avoid distractions inside vehicles and be courteous to other motorists on the road.

“Careful planning is the key to a safe holiday weekend and remember to put safety first," he added.

To help ensure the 2017 travel period goes as smoothly as possible, the Georgia Department of Transportation will also suspend construction-related lane closures on interstates from noon June 30 to 5 a.m. July 5. Lane closures will also be limited on state routes that directly serve major tourist and recreation centers.

“As people head to festivities like parades, barbecues and fireworks, we expect heavy traffic,” said Georgia DOT State Construction Engineer John Hancock. “By restricting lane closures, we hope drivers will encounter fewer delays and less stress.”

This holiday period, the Georgia State Patrol is participating in the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign, a nationwide mobilization against impaired driving. Troopers will be working alongside sheriff’s deputies and police officers to apprehend impaired drivers.

“People know driving impaired is illegal, yet they still take their chances by driving," McDonough continued. "Crashes caused by impaired drivers can be prevented, if drivers will take the initiative to not drive under the influence. Troopers will not hesitate to arrest an impaired driver and tow their vehicle."

From July 1-4, troopers will also take part in Operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort. This is a nationwide traffic safety initiative among state highway patrols and state police agencies where troopers and officers across the United States and Canada work together during holiday periods to reduce the number of traffic deaths through high visibility patrols and educational outreach.

The holiday traffic count will be updated throughout the holiday period on the Georgia Department of Public Safety Twitter feed.

Image via Georgia State Patrol