ATLANTA — Twenty-three people died in car crashes during the Georgia State Patrol's Thanksgiving holiday period, according to the agency on Tuesday.
Previously, the Georgia Department of Public Safety. reported that 14 people had died in collisions as of Nov. 24, with five people losing their lives in a reported crash in Thomasville.
GSP said the holiday traffic period began on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m. and ended on Sunday, Nov. 26, at midnight. The agency released information on where the crashes were and how many deaths were reported:
- Rome Police Department: 1 fatality
- Post 52-Hartwell: 1 fatality
- Atlanta Police Department, DeKalb County Police Department and South Fulton Police Department: 3 fatalities
- Post 1-Griffin, Post 24-Newnan, Columbus Police Department and Henry County Police Department: 4 fatalities
- GSP Post 46-Monroe; 1 fatality
- Post 20-Dublin, Post 21-Sylvania: 3 fatalities
- GSP Post 12-Thomasville: 6 fatalities
- Post 15-Perry, Post 36-Douglas: 2 fatalities
- GSP Post 18-Reidsville, Post 23-Brunswick: 2 fatalities
Aside from deadly crashes, GSP said troopers investigated over 560 traffic crashes statewide, resulting in nearly 250 people being hurt. Officers made over "18,000 traffic stops, arrested more than 350 individuals for driving under the influence (DUI), issued nearly 800 seatbelt citations, issued almost 500 distracted citations and issued more than 11,000 warnings and over 10,000 citations."
Here are some tips from state officials to be prepared on the road:
- Allow time to reach your destination
- Plan rest stops if tired
- Drive the speed limit
- Don't drink and drive
- Make sure all passengers are wearing a seatbelt
DPS said the highest number of traffic deaths in one Thanksgiving holiday was in 1969, with 43 deaths. The lowest had four in 1949.
