Drive Safely For Labor Day Weekend, Says Georgia Highway Patrol

ATLANTA, GA —With countless drivers getting on the road this Labor Day weekend, the Georgia State Patrol is urging motorists to be careful traversing through and around the state. A year ago, the highway patrol investigated 496 vehicle crashes that tallied 274 injuries and 10 fatalities, the agency said.

Troopers also made 320 arrests for driving under the influence and issued 8,255 citations and 10,901 warnings. (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

“Traffic will be heavy as vacation travelers add to the normal weekend traffic flow, as many people take to the roadways for a final summer trip of the year,” Col. Mark W. McDonough, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said in a news release.

The state considers the start of the Labor Day weekend at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1 to 11:59 p.m. on Labor Day. As always the authorities will be out in force to make sure drivers are being safe.

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“State troopers will be on full patrols during peak travel times, actively looking for unsafe drivers in an effort to keep the number of traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities as low as possible,” said McDonough. “As you gather this weekend with family and friends to celebrate the unofficial end of summer, make safety a top priority,” he added.

The highway patrol has provided these seven tips for motorists to keep in mind this holiday:

• Do not drink and drive
• Wear your seat belt
• Obey the speed limit
• Avoid distracted driving
• Be courteous to other drivers
• Properly install child safety seats
• Do not leave children and pets in hot cars

The Georgia State Patrol will also be participating in Operation C.A.R.E., or Combined Accident Reduction Effort, this weekend. The U.S. traffic safety initiative involves having high visibility for troopers and education.

Image via Georgia State Patrol / Facebook