Expect High Traffic Enforcement on Georgia Roads Over the Labor Day Weekend

Georgia State Troopers are preparing for a busy Labor Day holiday on the roads with traffic expected to be heavy. As a result, motorists can expect robust traffic enforcement. The holiday period begins at 6 p.m. today and ends at midnight Labor Day. 

According to a press release from the Georgia Department of Public Safety, during the 2010 78-hour Labor Day travel period, 14 people lost their lives on Georgia roads. There were 2,580 traffic crashes with 1,042 injuries also reported.

Col. Mark McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said Georgia state troopers and Motor Carrier Compliance Division officers would be patrolling throughout the weekend. Troopers will be watching for impaired drivers, speeders, people not wearing seat belts and people who do not properly restrain children. 

"Alcohol, speed, and occupant protection violations are the primary contributing factors in fatal traffic crashes in our state," McDonough said in a press release, adding troopers would be patrolling secondary as well as interstates throughout the holiday period. "Past experience has shown the majority of the fatalities over a holiday weekend occur on the state routes, county roads and city streets.” 

Operation Zero Tolerance, the nation’s high visibility DUI enforcement program, is also underway now through the end of the Labor Day holiday period. Troopers and Motor Carrier Compliance Officers are conducting road checks and concentrated patrols on the secondary roads in an effort to intercept impaired drivers before they can cause a traffic crash. 

The Highway Enforcement Of Aggressive Traffic program is still in operation and Walton County sheriff’s deputies with the H.E.A.T. Unit also will be out in force on local roads.

“There will be a lot of traffic coming through here and our H.E.A.T. Unit is going to be out in full force,” said Capt. Ty Vance of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. “At least we won’t have traffic coming through here for the Georgia game since it will be in Atlanta, but there will be a lot of traffic because of the holiday weekend.”

Vance asked that everybody remember the Move-over Law that requires drivers to slow down and move over when a traffic stop is going on alongside the highway.

McDonough reminded drivers to make sure their vehicle is in proper operating condition before beginning holiday travel by checking the belts, hoses, lights, tire pressure, and fluid levels. 

"Drivers should take every precaution to prevent being stranded on the road," he said.  "Once on the road, be alert for potential dangers by obeying the posted speed limit, not tailgating, allowing plenty of space before merging in front of tractor trailers, using a designated driver if alcohol will be in your plans, making sure everyone is wearing a seat belt, and taking the time to properly restrain children in a motor vehicle." 

The Georgia State Patrol is also partnering with the “Bee a Buckler” Safety Program to encourage everyone to buckle up this weekend.  Gov. Nathan Deal has proclaimed the Labor Day holiday weekend “Bee A Buckler” Safe Driving Weekend in the state.  In addition to urging everyone to buckle up, the program stresses other safe driving practices to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.  

The Labor Day holiday period is also an Operation C.A.R.E. holiday where state law enforcement officers across the country join together for a concerted effort to encourage safe travel.  Operation C.A.R.E., or Combined Accident Reduction Effort, seeks to reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities on the nation's roads by balancing high visibility enforcement with educational outreach.

The highest number of traffic fatalities for a Labor Day holiday period occurred in 1968 when 35 people died in traffic crashes, and the lowest number was recorded in 1939 and again in 1995 with seven fatalities each. The Georgia State Patrol will update the holiday traffic experience at http://dps.georgia.gov throughout the holiday weekend.