The Georgia State Patrol is urging Georgia drivers to celebrate the July 4th holiday responsibly. This year’s travel period spans 102 hours, beginning Wednesday, July 3 at 6 p.m. and ending Sunday, July 7 at 11:59 p.m.
📋 The Details:
This extended holiday period sees increased patrol efforts to ensure road safety. Last year, during the same duration, troopers and officers issued over 15,000 citations, 15,650 warnings, and made 502 DUI arrests. They investigated 713 traffic crashes resulting in 385 injuries and nine fatalities. Local law enforcement also reported nine fatalities.
📊 By The Numbers:
- 15,459 citations issued
- 15,650 warnings given
- 502 DUI arrests
- 713 traffic crashes
- 385 injuries
- 9 fatalities investigated by GSP
- 9 additional fatalities investigated by local agencies
🌐 The Big Picture: This year marks the sixth anniversary of Georgia’s Hands-Free Law. Since its implementation in 2018, over 84,000 citations have been issued for violations. The holiday weekend is projected by AAA to be the busiest on record, with an estimated 70.9 million Americans traveling, surpassing the 2019 record of 49 million.
🚦 What You Can Do:
Travelers are advised to:
- Observe speed limits
- Avoid distractions while driving
- Always wear seatbelts
- Ensure proper restraint for children
- Never drink and drive
- Allow extra travel time
- Drive patiently and courteously
📱 What’s Next?: For real-time updates on traffic incidents during the holiday period, follow the Georgia Department of Public Safety on Twitter and Facebook.
