With July Fourth fast approaching, the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) said state troopers and motor carrier officers are gearing up for what is expected to be the busiest Independence Day holiday travel period on record.
AAA projects 70.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Independence Day weekend — 60.6 million of them by car. That’s an additional 2.8 million travelers compared to last year.
The Georgia State Patrol said its 102-hour patrol plan includes increased patrols with the goal of keeping traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities to a minimum. The initiative will include the agency’s participation in the nationwide Operation Zero Tolerance campaign, as well as the 100 Days of Summer H.E.A.T. (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) campaign.
“State troopers and officers will be out in full force patrolling the interstates, state routes, and local streets around Georgia,” said Georgia Department of Public Safety Commissioner Colonel William W. Hitchens III.
Transportation data analytics company INRIX says the best time to travel is Wednesday, July 3, between 2-7 p.m. and before noon on Thursday, July 4. The worst time to travel is Sunday, July 7, between 2-8 p.m. and before 11 a.m.
“Road trips over the holiday week could take up to 67% longer than normal. Travelers should monitor 511 services, local news stations, and traffic apps for up-to-the-minute road conditions,” suggests INRIX Transportation Analyst Bob Pishue.
In Georgia, I-20 East between Birmingham and Atlanta is expected to be one of the most heavily congested corridors. Peak congestion is predicted at around 6:30 Sunday evening, July 7.
For more information on travel safety and to view the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign, visit the Georgia State Patrol website.
