Troopers Prepare For Busy Christmas, New Year's Travel Periods

WOODSTOCK, GA — Georgia state troopers are ramping up their visibility on interstates and highways for the Christmas and New Year's holiday travel period. This coordinated campaign is designed to thwart traffic crashes, and encourage drivers to exercise safe habits while behind the wheel of their respective vehicles.

The 126-hour-long Christmas travel period starts 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21 and lasts until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26. GSP notes the 102-hour New Year's travel period kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28 and wraps up at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019.

"State troopers will be keeping a close eye out for motorists breaking state traffic laws and exercising bad driving habits that could potentially cause a fatal crash," said Georgia Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mark McDonough.

Troopers investigated 554 crashes that resulted in 283 injuries and 11 fatalities during the 2017 Christmas travel period. Troopers issued a total of 7,461 citations and 12,432 warnings, with 198 people arrested for driving impaired. For the 2017 New Year's travel period, troopers worked 370 wrecks that resulted in 205 injuries and five fatalities. They also issued 6,542 citations, 10,680 warnings, and arrested 234 people for driving under the influence.

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To help make things go smoothly as possible on major thoroughfares, the Georgia DOT will suspend construction-related lane closures on interstate highways, heavily traveled state routes and roadways near major shopping centers, malls, shopping districts and tourist locations.

No lane closures will take place from 6 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26, GDOT notes. For New Year's, lane closures are suspended from 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 30 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019.

With the spike in holiday travel expected on roadways, state officials strongly encourage residents not to drink and drive. If you drink, choose a designated driver, hail a taxi or opt for a ride-sharing service to ferry you home.

“This is a festive time of the year, and we want everyone to enjoy the holiday season, but we also want everyone to be safe out on our roads,” Commissioner McDonough said.

AAA's Tow-To-Go program is an option for those who fail to plan ahead for a sober ride home. The Tow-To-Go service will once again offer free tows and rides up to 10 miles from Friday, Dec. 21 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. Those interested in the free ride can click here or call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO for more information during the Christmas/New Year's holiday travel period.

"With so many people expected to be on the road for the long holiday weekend, we ask everyone to make sure they are rested for their trip because drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving," Governor's Office of Highway Safety Director Harris Blackwood said. "Watch your speed, put down your phone and pay attention to the road so you can safely get where you are going. All we want is for everyone to get there and get back home safely on every trip."

During the holiday period, an updated traffic fatality count will be published on the Department of Public Safety’s Twitter page.

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