ATLANTA –The 102-hour Thanksgiving holiday travel period begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1.

“Reducing traffic crashes, deterring and correcting bad driving behaviors, and making the roadways safer is our job,” said Colonel Mark McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. “To make this happen, Troopers and Motor Carrier Officers will be patrolling interstates and secondary roads throughout the state during this holiday period.”

According to AAA, this year we will see the highest Thanksgiving travel volume since 2005. They are predicting most travelers – 49.3 million, a 2.8% increase from last year – will be traveling by automobile.

“Motorists should travel with patience and allow plenty of time to reach their destinations,” said McDonough. “In order to make traveling safer, drivers should be mindful and obey the posted speed limit, have every occupant in their vehicle properly retrained, and never drive distracted or impaired.”

During the 2018 Thanksgiving holiday, the Georgia State Patrol investigated 610 crashes, resulting in 242 injuries. Statewide, there were 15 fatal crashes, resulting in 15 deaths.  GSP investigated 10 of those crashes.  In addition to crash investigations, Troopers arrested 339 people for driving under the influence, while issuing 11,523 citations (500 for distracted driving) and 17,046 warnings.

During the holiday period, an updated traffic fatality count will be published on the Department of Public Safety’s Twitter page: http://www.twitter.com/ga_dps.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

PRESS RELEASE

ATLANTA – Traffic crashes across Georgia during the Labor Day holiday travel period resulted in nine traffic deaths, with eight being worked by State Troopers. This year, the holiday travel period was 78-hours long. It began at 6 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 30, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Mon., Sept. 2.

Statewide, Georgia State Troopers investigated 523 traffic crashes that resulted in 288 injuries and eight fatalities. In addition to the traffic crash investigations, 244 people were arrested for driving under the influence, while 5,897 citations and 7,320 warnings were issued.

Gordon County Sheriff’s Office reported one traffic death during the holiday period.

There were no fatalities reported in White County.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

ATLANTA — The Georgia State Patrol is reminding motorists to practice safe driving habits as they travel throughout the state this Labor Day weekend.

“Troopers and Motor Carrier Officers will be on patrol in full force for the upcoming 78-hour Labor Day holiday travel period this weekend,” said Colonel Mark W. McDonough, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. “They will focus their attention on speeders, unrestrained occupants, as well as distracted and impaired drivers,” he added. The patrols will take place from 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2.

Last year, troopers investigated 490 crashes, which resulted in 296 injuries. Eight of those were fatal crashes, killing eight people. In addition to crash investigations, troopers and motor carrier officers wrote 9,008 citations; 12,180 warnings; and arrested 332 motorists for driving under the influence.

“Motorists should expect heavier traffic this weekend, as most people use the extended weekend to take their final family trips before the summer ends,” said Colonel McDonough.
Here are some travel tips to keep in mind this holiday weekend:

Obey the posted speed limit. When you exceed the speed limit, you reduce the amount of available time needed to avoid a traffic crash.

Do not drive impaired. Designate a sober driver, call a taxi, rideshare service, friend, or family member to help you get home safely.

Buckle Up. Make sure everyone in the vehicle wears a seat belt and that children are properly restrained in the appropriate child safety seats. Georgia law requires children under the age of eight to be in either a car seat or booster seat suitable for their age, weight, and height.

Pay attention to the road. Limit your distractions, and never use electronic devices to text or surf the web while driving. The Hands-Free Georgia Act prohibits all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.

Do not leave children and pets in hot cars. Regularly check the back seat and back floor area for children and animals, each time you exit your vehicle.

Stay alert of your surroundings and show common courtesy to other motorists and pedestrians on the roads.

Throughout the holiday period, the traffic fatality count is available on the Georgia Department of Public Safety Twitter page: https://twitter.com/ga.dps.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

CLEVELAND, Ga. – A Florida woman was killed Saturday afternoon when the vehicle she was driving was struck by a tractor trailer on Ga. 115 east of Doc Dorsey Road near Cleveland.

According to SFC A.J. Allen of the Georgia State Patrol Post 6 in Gainesville, Catherine Grant-Coons, 65, of Tavares, Fla. was traveling eastbound on Ga. 115 when a westbound tractor-trailer jackknifed into the eastbound lane, striking the Grant-Coons vehicle. She died at the scene.

The 2007 Freightliner tractor-trailer was driven by 46 year-old James Martin of Cleveland. Allen said Martin’s truck was approaching stopped traffic when he aggressively tried to brake, causing the trailer to rotate counterclockwise.

Martin was uninjured in the crash and charges are pending at this time.

ATLANTA – The Georgia State Patrol and Motor Carrier Compliance Division encourage everyone to celebrate the Independence Day holiday responsibly.  This year, the holiday travel period is 102 hours long.  It will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, and end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 7. This year marks the one year anniversary of the Georgia Hands-Free Law which became effective July 1, 2018.

Last year, the holiday period was only 30 hours long.  During the holiday period, State troopers investigated 150 traffic crashes resulting in 90 injuries and two fatalities. Additionally, troopers issued 6,367 citations (957 seat belts and 150 child restraints), 8,465 warnings, and made 123 DUI arrests.

“With a record number of travelers hitting the roadways this holiday, we want everyone to pack a load of patience for traffic delays and to put safety first by following the posted speed limit, not driving while impaired, making sure all occupants are restrained, and keeping your hands off of your cell phones,” said Colonel Mark W. McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.  “State troopers and officers will be on high visibility patrols during the 102-hour holiday period in an effort to keep the number of traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities at a minimum,” he added.

This holiday period, the Georgia State Patrol is participating in the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign, a nationwide mobilization against impaired driving, as well as the 100 Days of Summer H.E.A.T. (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) campaign. Troopers will be working alongside sheriff’s deputies and police officers to apprehend impaired drivers and crack down on aggressive speeders and distracted drivers.

“Crashes caused by impaired drivers can be prevented.  Drivers must take the initiative to plan ahead for their holiday activities by designating a sober driver and not driving impaired,” said Colonel McDonough.  “State Troopers and Officers will not hesitate to arrest an impaired or aggressive driver,” he added.

According to AAA, the worst day to travel on the roadways in Atlanta is Friday, July 5, and the worst time for travel is between 5 – 7 p.m.

The holiday traffic count will be updated throughout the holiday period on the Georgia Department of Public Safety Twitter page: https://twitter.com/ga_dps.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – A Clarkesville man was killed in a single-vehicle accident on Lynch Mountain Road Monday.

According to Joshua Hedden of the Georgia State Patrol, Edgar H. Jones, 70, was killed when his 1990 Toyota pickup truck failed to maintain its lane causing it to travel off the left shoulder before traveling down an embankment, striking a tree with its driver side door and overturning.

The exact time of the accident is unknown.  A passerby observed the vehicle off the roadway and contacted emergency personnel. Jones was last heard from the night before.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

CLEVELAND, Ga. – A Toyota 4-Runner driven by 24-year-old Shon Mitchell Gowery of Clermont crossed the centerline on SR 11 in White County Tuesday at 6:10 p.m. and struck another vehicle head on, injuring four people.

According to the Georgia State Patrol report, Gowery and the passenger Cheyenne Lucille White, 19, of Clermont both suffered minor injuries but did not require transport to a hospital.

The Gowery vehicle struck the front of a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, driven by 49-year-old Letitcia Ruthann McEntire of Clermont, who suffered minor injuries. A passenger in the McEntire vehicle, 46-year-old Benny Anthony McEntire, also of Clermont suffered serious injuries. Both were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

The GSP report states that charges are pending. No other information is available. Fetch Your News will update this article when additional information becomes available.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — A Dahlonega woman was killed in three-vehicle crash on Hwy. 115 in White County Monday afternoon.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, Margie Milum was killed when she lost control of her car, went over the edge of the road, over corrected, crossed over the center line then collided with two other cars on State Route 115

The crash happened around 2 p.m. Monday.

Another unidentified driver was taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Fetch Your News will have more details as they become available.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com