Fourteen people died on Georgia’s roads over the long Christmas holiday. The 54-hour Christmas travel period began at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 26.
Law enforcement will continue with high visibility patrols on interstates and state roads through New Year’s.
“It is the primary focus of State troopers and officers to keep a vigilant eye out for motorists breaking state traffic laws and exercising bad driving habits that could potentially cause serious injuries or fatal crashes,” says the commissioner of public safety Col. Mark McDonough.
The American Automobile Association (AAA), which tracks holiday travel, predicted 115.6 million Americans would hit the road this holiday season.
With so many motorists on the roads, troopers and officers urge drivers to stay focused, buckle up, and put the cellphone down. Also, if you drink, don’t drive; plan for a sober designated driver if you must travel.
“This is a festive time of the year! We want everyone to drive sober, stay focused, obey the laws and enjoy this holiday season with family and friends,” adds the commissioner.
Last year, the Christmas holiday travel period was 126-hours long. GSP investigated 700 crashes that resulted in 333 injuries and 14 fatalities. The 2018 New Year’s holiday travel period was 102-hours long. GSP worked 550 wrecks that resulted in 223 injuries and seven fatalities.
