ATLANTA – The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) encourage everyone to celebrate the Independence Day holiday responsibly. This year, the holiday travel period is 78 hours long. It began Friday, July 1, at 6 p.m., and ends Monday, July 4, at 11:59 p.m.
Additionally, this year marks the fourth anniversary of the Georgia Hands-Free Law which became effective July 1, 2018. Since the law’s inception, troopers and officers have issued more than 84,000 hands-free citations.
Last year’s holiday period was 54 hours long. Troopers and motor carrier officers issued 8,647 citations, 8,451 warnings, and made 321 DUI arrests. State troopers also investigated 295 traffic crashes resulting in 171 injuries, and nine fatalities.
“More motorists will travel the roadways to spend time with family and friends celebrating the Independence Day holiday this weekend. Celebrating holidays should be fun, as well as safe,” says Colonel Christopher C. Wright, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. “We urge all motorists to practice safe driving habits by following posted speed limits, using appropriate safety restraints, not driving impaired, paying attention to road conditions, and not using cellphones while driving will help you stay safe this weekend.”
During this holiday period, State troopers and officers will be on high visibility patrols with the goal of keeping the number of traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities to a minimum. The Georgia State Patrol is participating in the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign, a nationwide mobilization against impaired driving, as well as the 100 Days of Summer H.E.A.T. (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) campaign. Troopers will be working alongside sheriff’s deputies and police officers to apprehend impaired drivers and crack down on aggressive speeders and distracted drivers.
“Crashes caused by distracted and impaired drivers can be prevented. Motorists should pay close attention to road conditions and make smart choices when planning to celebrate holiday activities by designating a sober driver,” adds Colonel Wright.
According to AAA, nearly 47.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday weekend, an increase of 3.7% over 2021. Drivers should expect long travel delays during the afternoon on Friday, July 1. Drivers in major U.S. cities may experience double the travel times compared to a normal trip.
