MACON, Ga. – State forces and local law enforcement agencies will be on high alert as many Georgians are out on Memorial Day weekend.
Holiday traffic will run from 6:00 p.m. Friday through Monday, according to Georgia State Patrol.
Tiffany Biesterfeld, her husband and two children are among the Central Georgians preparing to take to the streets for the vacation.
“We’re going to Lake Placid, Florida, and then we’re going to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a week. Then we’ll go to Marco Island, Florida for the weekend, and then my husband and I will fly to the Dominican Republic for our anniversary, ”said Biesterfeld.
When they return from the Dominican Republic, they drive home – she says it’s about 16 hours in total.
“We are definitely watching the road because, especially on this travel weekend, there are people who are on the move and drink and drive and not drive safely,” she said.
Because of this, the Georgia State Patrol plans to keep an eye on them. Lieutenant Maurice Raines says driving a car is a privilege, not a right. He wants everyone to be safe.
“We will be in full force with local authorities across the state of Georgia to enforce the law. We don’t want people to speed up, we want them to realize that arriving late is better than not arriving at all. We want them to slow down. We also want them to understand that we will not tolerate driving disruptions, ”said Raines.
The governor’s road safety department wants everyone to buckle up before they go out on the streets and that all children are safe.
They also encourage people to take breaks on long journeys and even switch drivers if necessary.
According to the state patrol, 15 people were killed in road accidents on last year’s Memorial holiday weekend.
“We want everyone to have fun, but we understand that we all have roles that the public needs to do and I can assure you that we will do our part,” said Raines.
He says you can also get run over if your car has a mechanical problem – like a broken taillight.
Biesterfeld says her family can’t wait.
“Our kids were so desperate to get out there and socialize, and families to see and reunite. I think you just need to reconnect, stay safe, and take advantage of the protection you need to do. Make smart decisions and just have a great time, ”said Biesterfeld.
Raines says don’t forget Georgia’s hands-free law – so hang up the phones.
AAA predicts a nationwide increase in the number of travelers for the vacation of 60% compared to the previous year. If you’re planning a trip to Orlando, Myrtle Beach, or Nashville, AAA says these are some of the top road trip destinations this year.
