At least 13 people have died on Georgia’s roads since the long Christmas holiday weekend began on Dec. 24, according to the Georgia State Patrol. Two of those fatalities were in Athens, where, on Christmas Day, a driver was killed in a single-vehicle accident, and the day after, another driver was killed when she crashed into a utility pole.
Other fatal wrecks around the state have been reported in Brantley, Coffee, DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, Burke, Jones, Muscogee, Sumter, and Wilkes counties.
By the numbers
Through Sunday evening, Dec. 28, Georgia state troopers have reported:
- DUI arrests: 239
- Distracted driving citations: 385
- Seatbelt citations: 539
- Total crash reports: 283
- Total people injured in crashes: 105
- Total DUI-related crashes: 18
- Commercial vehicle crashes: 11
The 102-hour Christmas travel period ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28. State and local law enforcement will remain out in force, patrolling roadways to try to cut down on dangerous driving.
“Troopers and officers remain committed to enforcing traffic laws and stopping unsafe driving behaviors,” said Col. William W. Hitchens III. “Make safety your top priority on Georgia’s roadways.”
Last year, nearly 200 crashes occurred during the Christmas travel period in Georgia, resulting in five fatalities. Five more people died during the New Year’s holiday.
The New Year’s holiday travel period begins Dec. 31 and runs through Jan. 4. Click here for a rundown of the best and worst travel times for the remainder of this holiday season.
