Labor Day weekend took a deadly toll on Georgia’s roadways this year, with 20 lives lost between Friday evening and late Monday night. The Georgia State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies reported traffic crashes across the state, with fatalities affecting numerous counties.
The Details: The Labor Day holiday travel period officially began at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 30, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 2. During this window, Georgia State Patrol officers were responsible for investigating nine fatal crashes, resulting in 13 deaths. Local agencies across the state contributed to the grim statistics, reporting seven additional fatalities.
Agencies such as the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Dunwoody Police Department, and Pike County Sheriff’s Office were among those involved in fatal crash investigations. The Richmond County, Putnam County, and Rockdale County Sheriff’s Offices also reported fatalities during the holiday weekend.
In addition to the fatalities, Georgia State Patrol officers responded to over 550 crashes over Labor Day weekend, resulting in more than 200 injuries. Over the course of the weekend, Georgia State Patrol and Motor Carrier Compliance Division officers conducted over 24,000 traffic stops, issuing over 13,000 citations and making more than 480 DUI arrests.
By The Numbers:
- Fatal crashes by Georgia State Patrol officers: 9 crashes, 13 deaths
- Fatal crashes reported by local agencies: 7 deaths
- Total fatalities statewide: 20 deaths
Breakdown by Georgia State Patrol Troops:
- Troop A (LaFayette): 1 fatality
- Troop B (Hartwell): 2 fatalities
- Troop C (Dunwoody, Morrow): 2 fatalities
- Troop D (Bibb, Pike Counties): 2 fatalities
- Troop E (Putnam, Richmond, Rockdale Counties): 3 fatalities
- Troop G (Thomasville): 1 fatality
- Troop H (Tifton, Valdosta): 4 fatalities
- Troop I (Reidsville, Brunswick): 5 fatalities
In Context: Labor Day weekend is historically one of the deadliest travel periods of the year in Georgia, as the combination of long-distance travel, alcohol consumption, and increased traffic volume often lead to a rise in accidents. Last year, 17 deaths were reported during the same period.
Go Deeper:
