Update: The Georgia Department of Public Safety reported hundreds of arrests and traffic-related incidents across the state during the Memorial Day holiday travel period, which ran from Friday evening through Monday.
According to DPS, officers and troopers made 329 driving under the influence arrests during the busy holiday weekend as thousands of Georgians traveled for Memorial Day gatherings and vacations.
Authorities also responded to 708 distracted driving incidents and issued 911 seatbelt citations statewide.
State troopers investigated a total of 298 crashes during the enforcement period. Those crashes resulted in 153 reported injuries and four fatalities investigated by Georgia DPS.
Officials said 31 crashes involved drivers suspected of being under the influence, while 14 crashes involved commercial motor vehicles.
Across all law enforcement agencies in Georgia, a total of 12 traffic fatalities were reported during the Memorial Day holiday travel period.
The increased enforcement effort is part of Georgia’s annual holiday traffic safety campaign aimed at reducing impaired driving, distracted driving, and other dangerous behaviors on the roadways during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
Public safety officials continue to encourage drivers to wear seatbelts, avoid distractions behind the wheel, and never drive impaired.
Previous Story: As Memorial Day travel wrapped up across Georgia, state troopers and law enforcement officers reported hundreds of traffic-related incidents during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, including more than 250 arrests for driving under the influence.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, officers and troopers made 259 DUI arrests statewide during the Memorial Day Holiday Travel Period, which began Friday evening and continued through Monday.
Authorities also responded to 433 distracted driving incidents as holiday traffic increased on highways and interstates across the state.
State officials said 197 crashes were reported during the travel period, resulting in 108 injuries and three fatalities as of Monday morning. Troopers also investigated 22 crashes involving impaired drivers and eight crashes involving commercial motor vehicles.
In addition to DUI enforcement, officers issued 504 seatbelt citations during the holiday enforcement campaign.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety said the increased patrols are aimed at reducing dangerous driving behaviors during peak travel times.
Officials continue to urge motorists to plan ahead before traveling by using designated drivers or sober ride options, wearing seatbelts, obeying speed limits, and avoiding distractions behind the wheel.
Memorial Day weekend is traditionally one of the heaviest travel periods of the year as families return home from holiday gatherings and vacations.