As newly licensed teenagers spend more time behind the wheel this summer, AAA is encouraging families to make safety a priority by participating in its “100 Days of Safe Driving” campaign.
With millions of Americans expected to hit the road for the Fourth of July holiday, the Georgia Department of Public Safety is urging motorists to make safety their top priority during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
The Georgia Department of Transportation says interstate lane closures will be suspended for the July 4th holiday weekend to help improve safety, ease travel, and reduce delays.
The suspension begins Friday, July 3, at 6 a.m. and continues through Monday, July 6, at 6 a.m.
Georgia DOT says some construction crews may still be working near roadways, and some long-term closures could remain in place for safety reasons. Emergency or incident-related lane closures may also happen at any time.
Motorists are reminded to stay alert, slow down in work zones, move over when possible, and watch for changing weather conditions. Georgia DOT says rain increases crash risk, while extreme heat can lead to more road debris and tire blowouts.
A record number of Americans are expected to hit the road, take to the skies, and set sail during the upcoming Independence Day holiday, according to a new travel forecast from AAA.
AAA projects 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home during the nine-day holiday travel period running from Saturday, June 27, through Sunday, July 5. That surpasses last year’s record of 71.8 million travelers.
The vast majority of travelers—about 61.4 million people, or 85 percent—are expected to drive to their destinations. Despite higher gasoline prices than last year, AAA says road trips remain the most affordable option for many families.
Nearly 5.9 million Americans are expected to fly, while another 4.9 million will travel by bus, train, or cruise ship, making cruises and other alternative travel options the fastest-growing segment this year.
For those traveling by car, AAA recommends leaving early in the day to avoid the heaviest traffic. The organization also encourages motorists to check their vehicle’s battery, tires, and fluids before departing. Last Independence Day week, AAA responded to more than 687,000 roadside assistance calls, with towing, dead batteries, and flat tires among the most common problems.
AAA is also reminding travelers to drive safely during one of the busiest times of the year by avoiding impaired driving, slowing down around emergency vehicles, and always moving over for roadside workers.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety says 12 people were killed on Georgia roads during the 2026 Memorial Day holiday travel period.
The 78-hour reporting period ran from 6 PM Friday, May 22, through midnight Monday, May 25. During that time, officials reported 298 traffic crashes statewide, with more than 150 injuries.
Law enforcement officers also made 329 DUI arrests and issued 708 distracted driving citations, along with 911 seatbelt citations. Officials say 31 crashes involved impaired drivers.
The 2026 fatality count was double the number reported during the same holiday period in 2025, when six people were killed on Georgia roads.
One of the fatal crashes was reported Sunday morning in Northwest Georgia’s Troop A region and claimed the life of a 24-year-old.
Public safety officials continue urging drivers to slow down, buckle up, avoid distractions, and never drive under the influence.
Teen drivers in Georgia are facing some of the highest insurance costs of any age group, as insurers point to increased risk and inexperience behind the wheel.
State Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), who represents all of Chattooga County and part of Floyd County, says the Georgia House has passed the halfway point of the 2026 legislative session after completing Legislative Day 22. Lawmakers returned to the Capitol following the President’s Day holiday and moved several bills forward during a busy week.
Lumsden highlighted passage of House Bill 1063, which would prevent electric utilities from shifting certain costs tied to large data centers onto residential and small business customers, while codifying Public Service Commission cost-allocation rules into state law. He noted Georgia’s rapid data center growth is driving increased energy demand statewide.
The House also approved legislation to increase access to naloxone on college and technical campuses, expand protections for foster placement caregivers, support autism screenings for children in foster care, strengthen student-athlete health requirements, and improve roadside safety during traffic stops as work continues toward Crossover Day.
See Rep. Lumsden’s complete report below:
AAA is reminding Georgia drivers to keep safety at the center of their Valentine’s Day plans, warning that romantic dinners, parties, and late-night outings can also bring a rise in risky behavior behind the wheel.
Georgia State Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash Monday night involving a City of Summerville backhoe and a Dodge Ram truck on Highway 27 (Georgia 1) just north of the Chattooga River bridge.
Governor Brian Kemp delivered the closing address at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs & Issues event earlier this week, outlining what he described as his top legislative and budget priorities for the 2026 General Assembly session.