#RoadSafety | AM 1180 Radio

May 27, 2026

Georgia Troopers Report Deadly 2026 Memorial Day Holiday Weekend

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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.

May 3, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Insurance Costs Rise For Teen Drivers In Georgia

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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.

February 27, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Rep. Lumsden Highlights Data Center Protections, Campus Safety and Foster Care Reforms as Session Passes Midpoint

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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:

February 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

AAA Urges Georgia Drivers to Put Safety First on Valentine’s Day Weekend

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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.

January 27, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Dodge Ram Hits Summerville City Backhoe on Highway 27 Near Chattooga River Bridge; Driver Suffers Medical Emergency

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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.

January 16, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Kemp at Eggs & Issues: Affordability First, Big Transportation Spending, Energy Reliability, Workforce Pathways, and a New Homelessness Grant

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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.

December 18, 2025

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia DPS Receives $4.6 Million H.E.A.T. Grant to Continue Nighthawks DUI Task Force and Statewide Safety Patrols

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The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has awarded the Georgia Department of Public Safety a Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic, or H.E.A.T., grant worth about $4.6 million to continue major traffic safety efforts across the state. The grant took effect October 1, 2025, and runs through September 30, 2026.

December 15, 2025

by WZQZ NEWS

Speed Limit to Be Reduced on Penn Bridge as Safety Improvements Move Forward

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Recent Accidents on Penn Bridge Road are prompting changes

A winding section of Penn Bridge Road near the Chattooga River will soon see a lower speed limit as officials take action to address ongoing safety concerns. According to Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen, the change comes after repeated vehicle accidents and hazardous driving conditions in the area.