December 30, 2019–8:07 a.m.
STAFF REPORTS
The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and the Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) will be on high visibility patrols on interstates and state roads during the New Year’s holiday travel period.
The 30-hour New Year’s holiday period will begin at 6 p.m. on Tues., Dec. 31, and end at 11:59 p.m. on Wed., Jan. 1.
Colonel Mark W. McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety said, “It is the primary focus of State troopers and officers to keep a vigilant eye out for motorists breaking state traffic laws and exercising bad driving habits that could potentially cause serious injuries or fatal crashes.”
During the 2018 New Year’s holiday travel period, which was 102-hours long, GSP worked 550 wrecks that resulted in 223 injuries and seven fatalities. In addition, troopers and officers issued 6,971 citations, 11,339 warnings, and arrested 368 people for driving under the influence.
Traffic crashes across Georgia during the recently completed Christmas holiday travel period resulted in 14 traffic deaths. This year, the holiday travel period was 54-hours long. It began at 6 p.m. on Tue., Dec. 24, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Thurs., Dec. 26.
Statewide, Georgia State Troopers investigated 207 traffic crashes that resulted in 102 injuries and eight fatalities. In addition to the traffic crash investigations, troopers and officers of the Department of Public Safety arrested 124 people for driving under the influence, while 5,333 citations and 8,222 warnings were issued.
Local agencies reporting six traffic deaths during the holiday period were: Atlanta PD (2); Cobb Co. PD; DeKalb Co. PD; Union Co. PD; and Valdosta PD.