ATLANTA – DPS is providing travel safety tips ahead of the busiest summer season across Georgia.
Release:
The Memorial Day holiday weekend marks the start of a busy summer travel season across Georgia and the country. As motorists begin planning their trips, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds drivers to plan their trips carefully and remember to make safety a priority.
This year's holiday travel period begins Friday, May 24 at 6:00 p.m. and ends Monday, May 27 at 11:59 p.m. Troopers and officers will conduct high visibility patrols on highways, state roads and local streets. be alert for impaired drivers and other traffic violations that could potentially cause an accident.
“We encourage everyone to spend time with friends and family over the festive period, but remember to put safety first. Slow down, obey the speed limit, be a courteous driver and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination,” said Col. William W. Hitchens, III, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. “We encourage drivers to concentrate on driving and minimize distractions, especially cell phones. Distracted driving can have serious and even fatal consequences. Also remember to make seat belt and child restraint use a priority. Col. Hitchens added, “Please be responsible this Memorial Day weekend. The consequences of drinking and driving can be devastating. Protect yourself and others by choosing not to drive if you have been drinking. Make sure you have a safe way to get home without getting behind the wheel.
During the 2023 Memorial Day holiday, troopers issued more than 13,000 citations, made more than 380 arrests for drunk driving and investigated more than 500 crashes that left more than 300 people injured and 11 dead.
The highest number of traffic fatalities over a Memorial Day holiday weekend occurred in 1969, when 27 people died in traffic accidents. 1969 was also the first year the Department of Public Safety (DPS) began keeping statistics for the Memorial Day holiday period.
DPS will update holiday traffic counts on all social media platforms throughout the holiday weekend.
DPS wants everyone to arrive safely at their destination. Here are some travel tips to keep you and your loved ones safe during your trip this weekend.
- Obey the posted speed limit. When you exceed the speed limit, you reduce the time it takes to avoid a traffic accident.
- Obey all traffic laws and signals. The highway code and signs exist for your safety; Failure to follow these instructions may result in accidents that could seriously injure you or kill others.
- Don't drive impaired. Designate a sober driver, call a taxi, rideshare service, friend or family member to get you home safely.
- Make sure everyone in the vehicle wears a seat belt. Also install child safety seats correctly. Georgia law requires that children under the age of eight be seated in a car seat or booster appropriate for their age, weight and height.
- Show courtesy to other motorists and pedestrians on the roadways. Be attentive to your fellow motorists, especially the most vulnerable, pedestrians and cyclists. Stop at all stop signs, traffic lights and crosswalks and check your blind spots.
- Watch out for big trucks and buses. Leave extra space when merging in front of these large vehicles, anticipate wide turns, stay a safe distance back, signal clearly when merging in front or overtaking, and be patient.
- Don't drive distracted. Refrain from any activity that might take your focus off the road, such as texting while driving. On July 1, 2018, Georgia's hands-free law took effect. It prohibits all drivers from using a cell phone while driving. A link to the full law can be found on the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety website at www.gahighwaysafety.org.
- If you need assistance on the road, you can call 511 to apply for CHAMP (Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Program), a free service offered by the Georgia Department of Transportation covering highways outside of metro Atlanta (except I-59 and I-24) . You can also call 511 to request assistance from HERO (Highway Emergency Response Operators) in the Atlanta metro area. CHAMP and HERO assist stranded motorists, change tires, maintain traffic flow and identify several maintenance issues. For more information and to view traffic cameras, please download the 511 Georgia app or visit www.511ga.org.
