As Thanksgiving approaches, the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and the Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) are ramping up their presence on interstates and secondary roads across the state. Their goal is to reduce traffic crashes during the busy holiday travel period, which began at 6 PM yesterday evening, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Last year, during the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday, GSP officers investigated a staggering 610 crashes, resulting in 289 injuries.

There were 18 fatal crashes in total, leading to the loss of 23 lives. Among those, GSP accounted for 12 fatal incidents, resulting in 17 fatalities; with the rest being investigated by local law enforcement.

In their efforts to ensure road safety, troopers arrested 325 individuals for driving under the influence and issued a staggering 10,385 citations alongside 13,383 warnings. Colonel William Hitchens, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS), emphasized the importance of safety this holiday season. “The Georgia Department of Public Safety wants everyone to make it to their destination to enjoy Thanksgiving with family and friends, but we ask that everyone prioritize safety,” Hitchens stated. He added, “Before you get on the road, please make sure that you and your passengers, especially children, are properly restrained. Remember, seatbelts save lives.” In light of the anticipated increase in travelers, AAA projects that approximately 71.7 million people will be hitting the roads this Thanksgiving, marking a rise of 1.3 million compared to last year.

This year’s figures also exceed pre-pandemic travel numbers, surpassing the 70.6 million travelers recorded in 2019. As families prepare to reunite and celebrate the holiday, the Georgia State Patrol urges all drivers to stay vigilant and prioritize safety to ensure a joyful and accident-free Thanksgiving.