Safety officials urge caution on Georgia roads over holiday

ATLANTA – Georgia public safety officials are reminding drivers to use caution when travelling during the busy Memorial Day weekend.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety says state troopers will be on “high-visibility patrols” during the 78-hour holiday travel period, from 6 p.m. Friday through midnight Monday.

The department says troopers will be watching for impaired drivers and other traffic violations that could cause a crash.

Department commissioner Col. Mark McDonough urges people to observe the speed limit, eliminate distractions while driving and make a plan to get home safely if they plan to drink alcohol. He also said it’s important to make sure vehicles are “road ready.”

The Georgia State Patrol investigated 510 traffic crashes that resulted in 320 injuries and three fatalities during last year’s Memorial Day holiday.