Troopers Prepare For Busy Labor Day Weekend

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- Troopers with the Georgia State Patrol will hit the roads this weekend with the goal of ensuring you safely get from Point A to Point B.

The 78-hour Labor Day holiday travel period will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, and end at midnight Labor Day, Sept. 5.

“This holiday weekend, the Georgia State Patrol has one goal in mind — safety,” said Colonel Mark W. McDonough, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer and is one of the heaviest traveled holiday periods of the year. “Troopers take saving lives seriously, and will be out on full patrols actively looking for unsafe and impaired drivers. Plan your trips carefully to allow ample time to reach your destination, make sure everyone is wearing a seat belt, don’t drive distracted, and obey the posted speed limit."

• RELATED: Georgia DOT Restricts Lane Closures For Labor Day Weekend

Last year during a similar travel period, troopers investigated 453 traffic crashes over the Labor Day weekend that resulted in 293 injuries, and nine traffic fatalities. In addition to the traffic crash investigations, troopers arrested 316 people for driving under the influence while issuing 7,359 citations and 12,143 warnings.

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

“Driving under the influence is unacceptable," McDonough continued. "If consuming alcohol is in your plans, designate a sober driver before you leave home. If you don’t have a designated driver, call a taxi, a friend, or family member to help you get home safely."

From Sept. 2-5, the Georgia State Patrol will also take part in Operation C.A.R.E., or Combined Accident Reduction Effort.

This is a nationwide 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 education.

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

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Image via Georgia Department of Public Safety