Law enforcement officials urge safe driving ahead of Memorial Day weekend travel surge, beginning Friday, May 23, through Monday, May 26.
As the Memorial Day holiday weekend approaches, law enforcement agencies across Georgia are preparing for one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announced there will be high-visibility patrols across interstates, state routes, and local roads to help ensure motorists travel safely.
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The official 78-hour holiday travel period begins Friday, May 23 at 6:00 p.m. and ends Monday, May 26 at 11:59 p.m.
Troopers and officers will be on the lookout for impaired drivers, speeding, distracted driving, and other violations known to contribute to crashes.
The effort comes after a deadly 2024 Memorial Day weekend, which saw over 500 crashes, more than 250 injuries, and 11 fatalities, according to DPS. Last year, law enforcement also issued over 14,000 citations and made more than 500 DUI arrests.
With AAA projecting 87% of holiday travelers will drive at least 50 miles from home this year—the highest number since 2005—officials expect heavier-than-normal traffic throughout the state.
“Operation Observation,” a statewide traffic safety initiative sponsored by the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, will also take place on Friday, May 23, further bolstering enforcement presence during peak hours.
Best and Worst Times to Travel
Traffic analysts at INRIX have released projections for the best and worst travel times over the long weekend:
Date Worst Travel Time Best Travel Time
Thursday, May 22 1:00 – 9:00 p.m. Before 12:00 p.m.
Friday, May 23 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. Before 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, May 24 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Before 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 25 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Before 1:00 p.m.
Monday, May 26 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Before 2:00 p.m.
Safety Tips for Travelers
The DPS encourages all motorists to take the following precautions to stay safe:
- Observe posted speed limits and traffic laws
- Avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Ensure all passengers are wearing seatbelts and children are in proper safety seats
- Avoid distracted driving—Georgia is a hands-free state
- Be courteous to other drivers and pedestrians
- Pay attention to large vehicles, including trucks and buses
Emergency and Roadside Assistance
For roadway emergencies, drivers can dial 911 or *GSP to connect with the nearest Georgia State Patrol Post. For roadside assistance, dial 511 to reach CHAMP (Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Program) for areas outside metro Atlanta or HERO (Highway Emergency Response Operators) for the metro area. These services can assist with flat tires, vehicle breakdowns, and other travel-related issues.
Real-time traffic updates, camera views, and road condition information are available via the 511 Georgia app or at www.511ga.org.
Throughout the weekend, DPS will be sharing traffic fatality and incident updates on its X (formerly Twitter) account at https://x.com/ga_dps.
