To update: The Georgia Department of Public Safety reported that there had been 18 deaths on Georgia roads as of 6 p.m. on Independence Day, with six hours of travel remaining for the Independence Day holiday weekend. None of the fatal accidents occurred in Walton or Gwinnett counties. With 12 fatalities reported in 66 hours, this surpassed last year's 78-hour travel period, when a total of 11 people died on Georgia roads. This year's travel period ends at midnight tonight, July 4th.
To update: The Georgia Department of Public Safety reported that there had been 16 fatalities on Georgia roads as of 9 a.m. on Independence Day – 87 hours within the 102-hour travel period over the Independence Day holiday weekend and nine hours through July 4, 2023. None of these Fatal accidents occurred in Walton or Gwinnett counties. With 12 fatalities reported in 66 hours, this surpassed last year's 78-hour travel period, when a total of 11 people died on Georgia roads. There are currently 15 hours left in this year's travel period. It ends tonight, July 4th, at midnight.
The number of Independence Day traffic fatalities is 16 as of 9:00 a.m. Dekalb County PD (1). #gatrooper #gamccd #gacpd
— Georgia Department of Public Safety (@ga_dps) July 4, 2023
To update: The Georgia Department of Public Safety reported that as of 12 noon on Monday, July 3, 2023, there were 12 fatalities on Georgia Roads – 66 hours into the 102-hour travel period over the Independence Day holiday weekend. None of the fatal accidents occurred in Walton or Gwinnett counties. This means that last year's travel time of 78 hours has already been exceeded, during which a total of 11 people died on Georgia's roads. There are currently 36 hours left in this year's travel period.
To update: The Georgia Department of Public Safety reported that there were five fatalities on Georgia roads as of 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, 2023, 42 hours into the 102-hour travel period over the Independence Day holiday weekend. None of the fatal accidents occurred in Walton or Gwinnett counties.
To update: The Georgia Department of Public Safety reported that there were five fatalities on Georgia roads as of 12:00 p.m. Sunday, July 2, 2023, 30 hours into the 102-hour travel period over the Independence Day holiday weekend. None of the fatal accidents occurred in Walton or Gwinnett counties.
(ATLANTA, GA) – The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) encourages everyone to celebrate Independence Day responsibly. The holiday travel time this year is 102 hours and begins on Friday, June 30th at 6 p.m. and ends on Tuesday, July 4th at 11:59 p.m
Last year's holiday season lasted 78 hours. Law enforcement and automobile company officials issued more than 9,000 citations, more than 8,400 warnings and made 370 arrests for drunk driving. Police also investigated nearly 400 traffic accidents in which more than 200 people were injured and 11 were killed. Local law enforcement investigated ten fatalities.
This year also marks the fifth anniversary of the Georgia Hands-Free Law, which went into effect on July 1, 2018. Since the law was introduced, soldiers and officers have issued more than 84,000 citations.
“This Fourth of July weekend is expected to set a record for the number of people traveling by vehicle to spend time with family and friends and celebrate the holiday,” said Colonel Christopher C. Wright, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. “Holiday celebrations should be safe and fun. To stay safe this weekend, drivers should practice safe driving habits and obey posted speed limits, use appropriate restraints, pay attention to road conditions, choose a specific driver or rideshare if you plan to drink alcohol, and use the phone on high while driving. Be patient and avoid potential traffic delays by being patient and polite to other drivers.”
AAA estimates 50.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Independence Day weekend. This year's forecast surpasses the previous record of 49 million travelers set over the Fourth of July weekend in 2019.
During this holiday season, police and state officials will conduct high-visibility patrols to minimize traffic accidents, injuries and deaths. The Georgia State Patrol is participating in the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign, a statewide mobilization against traffic disruptions, and the 100 Days of Summer HEAT (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) campaign. Police will work with sheriff's deputies and police officers to arrest impaired drivers and deal with aggressive speeders and distracted drivers.
Georgia's holiday traffic counts will be updated throughout the holidays on the Department of Public Safety's Twitter account https://twitter.com/ga_dps and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/gadepartmentofpublicsafety.