Troopers Step Up Patrols During Holiday Travel Periods

ATLANTA, GA -- The Georgia State Patrol is making final preparations for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday travel periods.

The Christmas holiday travel period will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23 and end at midnight Monday, Dec. 26. Four days later, the New Year holiday travel period will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30 and end Monday, Jan. 2.

Of course, motorist can expect to see Georgia state troopers patrolling during the holiday periods "in an effort to keep the number of traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities as low as possible," Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mark McDonough said.

“We know from past experience that speed, alcohol, and failing to use seat belts are the primary contributing factors in fatal crashes,” he said. “Drivers traveling during the holidays should put safety first by wearing a seat belt, obeying the posted speed limit, avoiding distractions inside vehicles, and by being courteous to other drivers."

Last year troopers investigated 443 traffic crashes over the Christmas travel period that resulted in 242 injuries and six fatalities. During the New Year’s travel period, there were 412 crashes and 235 injuries reported. In addition, troopers investigated seven fatal crashes that resulted in ten fatalities.

During the Christmas and New Year’s holiday travel periods Georgia State Troopers will also be teaming up with law enforcement officials from across the state for Operation Zero Tolerance, a high visibility enforcement campaign, which targets impaired drivers.

“Enjoy the holidays, but if you drive impaired, you will go to jail,” McDonough continued.

During last year’s Christmas holiday period, 175 arrests were made for driving under the influence, and 329 people were arrested during the New Year’s holiday. In other words, if you know you'll be consuming alcohol, plan ahead to have a designated driver to take the wheel.

The holiday traffic fatality count will be updated throughout the Christmas and New Year’s travel periods on the Department of Public Safety’s Twitter account.

Image via Georgia Department of Public Safety