ATLANTA — The Georgia State Patrol is urging motorists in Georgia to celebrate the Independence Day holiday weekend safely.
Share:
The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) urges everyone to celebrate Independence Day responsibly. The holiday travel time this year is 102 hours and begins on Friday, June 30 at 6 p.m. and ends on Tuesday, July 4 at 11:59 p.m
Last year’s holiday season lasted 78 hours. Police and motor company officials issued more than 9,000 subpoenas, over 8,400 warnings and made 370 arrests for drinking and driving. The police also investigated nearly 400 road accidents that left more than 200 injured and 11 dead. 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 hands-free citations.
“This weekend, July 4th, 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, motorists should practice safe driving habits and obey posted speed limits, use proper safety restraint systems, be aware of road conditions, choose a specific driver or rideshare if you plan to drink alcohol, and use the handset while driving hang up. Pack your patience and avoid potential road disruption by being patient and courteous 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 beats the previous record of 49 million travelers set for the 4th of July weekend in 2019.
During these holidays, state police and officials will conduct high-visibility patrols to keep traffic accidents, injuries and fatalities to a minimum. The Georgia State Patrol is participating in the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign, a nationwide mobilization against disrupted driving, and the 100 Days of Summer HEAT (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) campaign. Cops will work with sheriff’s deputies and police officers to arrest disabled drivers and deal with aggressive speeders and distracted drivers.
The Georgia Holiday Traffic Count is updated during the holiday on the Department of Public Safety’s Twitter account https://twitter.com/ga_dps and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/gadepartmentofpublicsafety.
