Crash analysis experts at GSP and DOT are predicting 2,315 traffic crashes, 1,094 injuries and 23 traffic deaths during the period that begins at 6 p.m. Thursday and ends at midnight, Sunday.

Last year during a 30-hour July Fourth holiday travel period in Georgia, there were 643 traffic crashes reported that resulted in 267 injuries and nine traffic fatalities.

Georgia’s fatal crash stats emphasize the reason more than 500 local police agencies concentrate on DUI traffic enforcement during the Independence Day holiday travel period.

In 2007, three of the nine July Fourth traffic deaths involved alcohol-impaired drivers. Five people killed were not wearing seat belts. DOT crash tracking showed that eight of the nine fatal traffic incidents occurred on state highways, county roads and city streets, with only one on Georgia interstates.

(Walker County Messenger)