Thousands of Georgians will hit the road this weekend to celebrate the unofficial end of summer, and they won’t be alone.
AAA projects Labor Day travel will be up 9% compared to last year. The Federal Transportation Safety Administration is preparing to screen more than 17 million people during what is expected to be the busiest Labor Day travel period on record, the agency says in a news release.
To avoid major traffic headaches during the Labor Day weekend, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) will suspend lane closures on most interstates and state routes beginning Friday at noon.
The suspension will be in effect until 5 a.m. Tuesday, September 3.
The DOT issued a 7-day travel forecast for the metro Atlanta area. The forecast shows major traffic volumes on Friday, Aug. 30, and Saturday, Aug. 31, as travelers leave town. The agency expects light traffic on Sunday and Monday, Sept. 1 and 2.
“While construction-related lane closures will be suspended, the department reminds travelers to exercise caution as crews may still work near highways, and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place,” the DOT said in a news release. “In addition, incident management, emergency or maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any route.”
Travel data analytics company INRIX released its list of the best and worst times to travel. Those who can get out before noon on Friday and after 7 p.m. have the best chance of easing some of the travel stress.
High visibility patrols
The Georgia Department of Public Safety says its officers will conduct high-visibility patrols on interstates and secondary roads throughout the holiday weekend.
Last year, 26 people died on Georgia’s roads over the long Labor Day holiday weekend.
“We want everyone to arrive safely at their destinations and we ask that all drivers do their part to keep our roadways safe. If you encounter an issue while traveling through Georgia, please don’t hesitate to call GSP,” encourages Georgia Public Safety Commissioner Col. William Hitchens, III.
Hitchens says the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) will focus on seatbelt violations, speeding violations, distracted drivers, DUI drivers, and other dangerous driving behaviors that often lead to crashes.
The 78-hour holiday travel period begins Friday, August 30, at 6 p.m., and ends Monday, September 2, at 11:59 p.m.
