3 killed in New Year’s traffic crashes in Georgia

Less than 24 hours into the New Year’s travel period, three people have died in traffic-related crashes in Georgia, officials said.

Two deaths were recorded by troopers in the southeast city of Hinesville, and one was reported by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, state Department of Public Safety officials said in a Twitter post Saturday morning.

The 78-hour travel period began at 6 p.m. Friday and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday (New Year’s Day).

Last year, eight people were killed during the same time frame, officials said. There were 595 crashes and 289 injuries reported.

The number of crashes and injuries this year won’t be available until after the travel period closes.

MORE: Christmas traffic deaths in Georgia nearly twice the 2016 total

There were 15 people killed in traffic crashes statewide during the recent Christmas travel period, up from eight in 2016. This year, that window was 108 hours, up from 78 a year ago.

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