In 2010, Georgia reported the fewest traffic fatalities ever -- five -- during the Memorial Day weekend
The Georgia State Patrol reminds motorists to drive safely this weekend as the summer vacation season begins.
Colonel Bill Hitchens, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said the 78-hour Memorial Day holiday weekend began Friday at 6 p.m. and ends at midnight Monday, May 30.
Despite the low number of fatal accidents in 2010, the Department of Transportation’s Crash Reporting Unit still reported 2,143 crashes that resulted in 945 injuries.
Hitchens said troopers will be out in force this weekend, patrolling the interstates and secondary roads as well.
“Last year, there were no interstate fatalities recorded during the holiday period, but two of the deaths were on state highways and three were on county roads or city streets,” said Hitchens, who is hoping to improve on 2010's numbers.
The Commissioner encourages everyone who will be traveling, to always use their safety belt and take the time to make sure children are properly restrained. “This is All-American Buckle-Up Week across the country and state highway patrols and state police agencies are concentrating on getting the message out that safety belt use saves lives,” he said.
The highest number of traffic deaths on Georgia roads during the Memorial Day holiday weekend occurred in 2005 when 32 people were killed in holiday crashes.The Crash Reporting Unit began keeping statistics on Memorial Day travel in 1969.
As the mercury climbs into the 90s, motorists are reminded that the GSP is joining other law enforcement agencies in the annual "100 Days of Summer H.E.A.T." campaign, which targets speeders, alcohol and/or drug impaired drivers, aggressive drivers, and people not wearing seat belts or adults who do not properly restrain children. The program continues through Labor Day.
"The period from Memorial Day through Labor Day has often been called the ‘hundred deadly days of summer' and this program is designed to change that," according to Hitchens.
The campaign begins with the first seat belt enforcement concentration of the year. "Operation Click It or Ticket" runs from Monday, May 23 through Sunday, June 5.
About the Author
