State Troopers Prepare For Busy Labor Day Weekend

CANTON, GA — Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, and the three-day weekend is jammed packed with events cropping up around metro Atlanta. If you're planning to hit the road to partake in these festivities or make a quick, last-minute trip to the beach, the Georgia State Patrol wants you to practice safe driving habits.

Col. Mark McDonough, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, said troopers will be on "special Labor Day patrols for 78 hours straight."

“They will be keeping an eye out for speeders, drivers who text, and those posing a dangerous risk to other motorists on the road,” he added.

These patrols kick off 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 and will wrap up at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3. Last year, during a similar holiday patrol period, troopers investigated 448 crashes, which resulted in 283 injuries and four fatalities. Along with those crash investigations, troopers wrote 8,412 citations, 11,562 warnings, and arrested 249 motorists for driving under the influence.

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To help ease the burden of traffic congestion, the Georgia Department of Transportation will suspend interstate highway construction-related lane closures from noon Aug. 31 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4. Lane closures will also be limited on major state routes that directly serve key tourist and recreation centers.

“The only exception would be for emergency maintenance work in the case of traffic accidents, and other unpredictable types of transportation incidents,” said Grant Waldrop, district engineer at the Georgia DOT in Cartersville. “We understand that a lot of people are hitting the road for the Labor Day holiday and we would like to make it a little easier for them to go through northwest Georgia. We usually see an increase in roadway fatalities during heavy travel holidays. We cannot overemphasize the need to slow down, drive alert and take every precaution to protect yourself and your passengers.”

RELATED: ATL Cops Gearing Up For Crazy Labor Day Weekend

The Georgia State Patrol is sharing some travel tips to keep in mind this holiday weekend:

• Observe the posted speed limit. When you exceed the speed limit, you reduce the amount of available time needed to avoid a traffic crash.
• Do not drive impaired. Designate a sober driver, call a taxi, rideshare service, friend or family member to help you get home safely.
• Make sure everyone in the vehicle wears a seatbelt. Also, properly install child safety seats. Georgia law requires children under the age of eight to be in either a car seat or booster seat suitable for their age, weight and height.
• Do not drive distracted. Refrain from performing any activity that may take your focus off the road, such as texting while driving. The Hands-Free Georgia Act became effective on July 1, and prohibits all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving. A link to the complete law can be found at www.gahighwaysafety.org.
• Do not leave children and pets in hot cars. Regularly check the back seat and back floor area for children and animals, each time you exit your vehicle.
• Stay alert of your surroundings and show common courtesy to other motorists and pedestrians on the roads.

GSP will update the holiday traffic fatality count on the Georgia Department of Public Safety Twitter page.

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