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Crime & Safety

Georgia 2012 Memorial Day Weekend Traffic Fatalities at 13

Every year GSP keeps count of traffic accident and the injury and fatality rate on Georgia roads for the 78-hour holiday period beginning Friday at 6 p.m. and ending at midnight Memorial Day.

Traffic was expected to be heavy this Memorial Day holiday travel period and Georgia State Patrol put out press releases early, urging caution before crowds hit the roads. Every year GSP keeps count of traffic accident and the injury and fatality rate on Georgia roads for the 78-hour holiday period beginning Friday at 6 p.m. and ending at midnight Memorial Day.

This year, as of 6 p.m. on Memorial Day, the GSP reported 13 fatalities, six of them at GSP posts and the rest from other agencies.

The following fatalities were reported:

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Troop A (1) GSP LaFayette

Troop B (2) GSP Toccoa, GSP Athens

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Troop C (2) Cobb Co. Police (2)

Troop D (2) Columbus Police (2)

Troop E (1) Putnam Co. Sheriff’s Office

Troop F (2) GSP Dublin, GSP Helena

Troop H (3) GSP Douglas; (1) Houston Co. Sheriff’s Office (2)

The count includes the around 7:30 a.m. on Memorial Day.

Operation Click It or Ticket was instituted prior to this year's heavy travel period and remains in force until June 3. GSP officials also warn that, in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources, they are urging responsibility and safety whether on the roads or on the water. 

“Past experience has shown that warm weather and outdoor recreational activities can lead to an increase in the number of impaired drivers behind the wheel,” Col. Mark McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said in a press release. “The goal of our partnership with the Department of Natural Resources is to keep you safe whether you are on the roads or on the water.”

“Georgia DNR and the Georgia State Patrol would like to emphasize responsibility and safety, especially during the increased traffic expected on holiday weekends,” said Lt. Colonel Jeff Weaver, DNR assistant chief of law enforcement.  “Alcohol, mixed with driving or boating activities, creates dangerous conditions that can lead not only to an arrest, but also to tragedy.”

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