At least nine people have died on Georgia’s roads over the long Independence Day holiday weekend. According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, law enforcement agencies have investigated fatal wrecks in Lincoln, Jones, Spalding, Jeff Davis, Baker, Stewart, Burke, Bryan, and Paulding counties.
The 78-hour holiday travel period officially began at 6 p.m. on July 3 and continues through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 6.
Last year, the holiday travel period was a day longer. Eighteen people died in traffic-related accidents over the 102-hour holiday travel period.
Record number of travelers on the road
According to AAA, a record 61.6 million people are traveling by car this Independence Day—an increase of 2.2% from last year, and the highest volume on record.
State troopers and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers are working with local law enforcement agencies to target unsafe driving behaviors. Operation Zero Tolerance focuses on impaired driving. The 100 Days of Summer H.E.A.T. initiative focuses on aggressive and dangerous driving, including excessive speeding and distracted driving.
“We urge everyone to follow traffic laws, drive sober, avoid distractions, wear seatbelts, and make sure children are properly restrained,” said Colonel William W. Hitchens III, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
Hitchens said state troopers and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers will remain out in full force on Georgia’s interstates, highways, and local roads throughout the holiday period.
