Athens Travelers: State Troopers Ready for Thanksgiving Holiday Patrols

Georgia State troopers are anticipating a busy Thanksgiving holiday travel period, the agency said Monday.

This year, the holiday travel period begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, and ends at midnight on Sunday, Nov. 30.

“Troopers across the state will be on concentrated patrols and conducting roadblocks in an effort to catch violators before they are involved in a serious traffic crash,” Colonel Mark W. McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety said in a press release.

Troopers report that the primary contributing factors in most serious and fatal traffic crashes are speed, alcohol, and failing to use seat belts.

“Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday, but always keep safety as a priority,” Colonel McDonough said. “This holiday is one of the heaviest travel periods of the year. Plan your travels carefully, allow plenty of time to reach your destinations, don’t drive impaired, and buckle up,” he added.

Last year, during the 102-hour travel period, the Georgia State Patrol investigated 619 traffic crashes across the state that resulted in 367 injuries and 10 fatalities. In addition, troopers made 242 arrests for driving under the influence.

During this year’s Thanksgiving holiday period, troopers will also be participating in Click It or Ticket and Operation C.A.R.E.

Click It or Ticket, Georgia’s high visibility seat belt enforcement program, began Monday, Nov. 17, and continues through Sunday, Nov. 30.

“Georgia State Troopers enforce seat belt and child restraint laws to save lives,” Colonel McDonough said. Seat belts should be worn and children should be properly restrained at all times in a motor vehicle, no matter how short the trip. “Sadly, each holiday period more than half of the people killed in motor vehicle crashes are not using seat belts,” the commissioner added.