Georgia State Troopers expected to step up enforcement during holiday period

kriner@sunmulti.com

The

Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Perry post 15 has released information regarding

holiday travel statistics on Georgia’s roads and highways.

According

to GSP, there were 473 stops made. Of those, state troopers said, 28 of those

were accidents with no fatalities reported in this area.

Troopers

arrested five people and charged them with driving under the influence.

There

were 184 citations issued, and 423 warning given to drivers. Troopers are

expected to step up enforcement on both the highways and secondary roads near

New Year’s Eve. Sobriety checkpoints will be set up to deter drunk driving.

Georgia

State Troopers are cautioning drivers to plan for a sober designated driver if

alcohol consumption will be part of their holiday celebrations this

year.  Troopers will be keeping a close eye out for

impaired drivers now through the end of the year.

Colonel

Mark McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said

Georgia State Troopers will be patrolling with enforcement emphasis on impaired

drivers, unrestrained drivers and passengers, and drivers exceeding the speed

limit.  “Each holiday period, troopers are called to investigate traffic

crashes involving serious injuries or fatalities, and these crashes could have

been prevented,” he said. 

The New

Year’s holiday period begins Friday, December 28 at 6 p.m. and ends

Tuesday night, January 1, 2013.

Last year

during the Christmas holiday period, throughout the state the Georgia State

Patrol investigated 289 traffic crashes which resulted in 182 injuries and 1

fatality.  Troopers arrested 139 people for driving under the influence

during the 78 hours of the holiday period.  During the New Year’s holiday

period, troopers investigated 296 traffic crashes in Georgia that resulted in

172 injuries and 7 traffic deaths.  During New Year’s holiday period

patrols, 262 people were arrested for driving under the influence.

McDonough

wants to remind drivers to plan their travels carefully and make sure your vehicle

is ready for a long trip by checking the pressure in the tires; making sure the

windshield wiper blades are not cracked; checking that all headlights, brake

lights, turn signals, and tag lights are working; and checking the vehicle’s

fluid levels.  “Before leaving on the trip, make sure everyone is properly

restrained, take frequent rest stops along the way, and don’t speed,” he said.

 

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