ATLANTA—Georgia State troopers are anticipating a busy Thanksgiving holiday travel period. This year, the holiday travel period begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, and ends at midnight on Sunday, November 30. “Troopers across the state will be on concentrated patrols and conducting roadblocks in an effort to catch violators before they are involved in a serious traffic crash,” said Colonel Mark W. McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
Troopers report that the primary contributing factors in most serious and fatal traffic crashes are speed, alcohol, and failing to use seat belts. “Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday, but always keep safety as a priority,” Colonel McDonough said. “This holiday is one of the heaviest travel periods of the year. Plan your travels carefully, allow plenty of time to reach your destinations, don’t drive impaired, and buckle up,” he added.
Last year, during the 102-hour travel period, the Georgia State Patrol investigated 619 traffic crashes across the state that resulted in 367 injuries and 10 fatalities. In addition, troopers made 242 arrests for driving under the influence.
During this year’s Thanksgiving holiday period, troopers will also be participating in Click It or Ticket and Operation C.A.R.E.
Click It or Ticket, Georgia’s high visibility seat belt enforcement program, began Monday, November 17, and continues through Sunday, November 30. “Georgia State Troopers enforce seat belt and child restraint laws to save lives,” Colonel McDonough said. Seat belts should be worn and children should be properly restrained at all times in a motor vehicle, no matter how short the trip. “Sadly, each holiday period more than half of the people killed in motor vehicle crashes are not using seat belts,” the commissioner added.
State law enforcement officers across the country will join together in a concerted effort to encourage safe travel for Operation C.A.R.E., or Combined Accident Reduction Effort. The goal of this operation is to reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities on the nation’s roads by balancing high visibility enforcement with educational outreach. Operation C.A.R.E. is a nationwide traffic safety initiative that began in 1977 and includes state highway patrol and state police agencies from all 50 states and Canada.
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