Latest news with #GeorgiaDepartmentofPublicSafety
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Georgia State Patrol releases Memorial Day weekend travel stats, 14 killed on Georgia roads
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — The Georgia Department of Public Safety has released preliminary numbers on holiday weekend travel incidents. According to Georgia State Patrol data, 14 people lost their lives on Georgia roads and 189 people were injured in crashes over Memorial Day weekend. The holiday travel period officially concluded May 26 at 11:59 p.m. GSP also says 413 people were arrested on DUI charges and they issued 1086 distracted driving citations and 6870 seatbelt citations. The Georgia Department of Public Safety says they have seen a 'noticeable increase' in DUI arrests and distracted driving violations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Georgia Department of Public Safety releases Memorial Day travel numbers
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – The Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDPS) has released the numbers for traffic violations over the past Memorial Day weekend. According to the GDPS X page, troopers and officers continue to see a noticeable increase in DUI arrests and distracted driving violations across the state. These dangerous behaviors are putting lives at risk as the holiday travel period continues. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Memorial Day travel: How many crashes were reported in Georgia so far
Memorial Day Weekend is a heavy travel time for drivers across the state and law enforcement says safety violations and citations are trending upward. According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, troopers and officers on the roads are still seeing a 'noticeable increase in DI arrests and distracted driving violations.' As the holiday travel period continues, Georgia DPS is warning people to drive sober. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Pinky Cole Hayes says her Bentley was stolen in front of new restaurant on opening weekend 2 boating accidents, 12 BUIs so far for Memorial Day weekend 2025 3 companies own nearly 38,000 metro Atlanta homes In terms of wheels on the ground, troopers have reported the following numbers for various driving violations: DUI: 335 DISTRACTED DRIVING: 806 SEATBELT CITATIONS: 1317 TOTAL CRASH REPORT COUNT: 281 TOTAL CRASH FATALITIES (PERSONS): 3 TOTAL CRASH INJURIES (PERSONS): 124 TOTAL CRASH REPORTS W/ UNDER THE INFLUENCE (UI): 17 TOTAL CRASH REPORTS WITH CMV INVOLVEMENT: 19 [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Memorial Day weekend drivers should keep safety on their minds
Going on a road trip this Memorial Day weekend? The Georgia Department of Public Safety is encouraging drivers to play it safe on the busy holiday streets. You will likely see Georgia Highway Patrol troopers and other members of law enforcement out on patrol this weekend, watching for possible impaired drivers and other road hazards. Troopers will also participate in Operation Observation on Friday, sponsored by the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'We want everyone to enjoy this holiday weekend with family and friends by focusing on your driving behavior and minimizing distractions that could lead to serious or even fatal consequences,' said Col. William W. Hitchens, III, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. Memorial Day weekend is the traditional start of the summer driving season. AAA said 87% of Americans, or about 45.1 million people, will be traveling by car at least 50 miles away from their home this Memorial Day weekend. RELATED STORIES: AAA recommends pre-trip checks on vehicles before Memorial Day weekend Lake Lanier closures: Number of parks closing will be scaled back, US Rep. says The last time this many people left home for the holiday was 2005. Want to beat the traffic? It seems the best bet is to leave early. Here are the best, and worst, times to hit the road during Memorial Day weekend, according to Inrix, a traffic intelligence company: Thursday Best: Before 12 pm. Worst: 1 - 9 p.m. Friday Best: Before 11 a.m. Worst: 12 – 8 p.m Saturday Best: Before 12 p.m. Worst: 2 – 6 p.m Sunday Best: Before 1 p.m. Worst: 1 – 5 p.m. Here are some travel tips to keep you and your loved ones safe as you travel this weekend: Observe the posted speed limits, and all traffic laws and signals. Do not drive impaired. Make sure everyone in the vehicle wears a seatbelt and children are in the appropriate child safety seat. Show common courtesy to other motorists and pedestrians on the roads. Pay attention to large trucks and buses. Do not drive distracted. Georgia is a hands-free state, which means no texting while driving. If you have an emergency on the road, please contact 911 or dial *GSP to be connected to the Georgia State Patrol Post closest to your location. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Those who need assistance on the roadway can dial 511 to request Georgia Department of Transportation's CHAMP (Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Program), a free service covering interstates outside of metro Atlanta (except I-59 and I-24), or HERO (Highway Emergency Response Operators) for assistance in the Metro Atlanta area. CHAMP and HERO can help stranded drivers, change tires, maintain traffic flow and even identify several vehicle maintenance problems. For more information and to view traffic cameras, download the 511 Georgia app or visit This year's 78-hour holiday travel period begins at 6 p.m. Friday and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday. Eleven traffic deaths were investigated by state and local law enforcement officials during Memorial Day holiday weekend last year. Troopers also issued more than 14,000 citations, made more than 500 DUI arrests and investigated more than 500 crashes that resulted in more than 250 injuries.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
High-speed chase through northeast Georgia ends in arrest
The Brief A high-speed chase began when a driver in a Range Rover used the emergency lane to bypass traffic on Interstate 85 North, leading authorities through multiple counties in northeast Georgia. Motor Carrier Compliance Division officers deployed spike strips, deflating the vehicle's front tires, and state troopers took over the pursuit. The chase concluded with the driver attempting to flee on foot, but was apprehended using a Taser; no injuries were reported. CARNESVILLE, Ga. - A driver was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon after leading authorities on a high-speed chase through multiple counties in northeast Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety. What we know The incident began around 3:34 p.m. when state troopers spotted a black Land Rover Range Rover passing vehicles in the emergency lane on Interstate 85 North near mile marker 157. Troopers activated emergency lights to stop the vehicle, but the driver accelerated and continued using the emergency lane to bypass traffic. After exiting the interstate at Exit 166 onto Highway 106, the driver was spotted by Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) officers, who attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled, initiating a pursuit that continued onto Georgia Highway 59. The driver briefly turned around on Church Street in Carnesville before heading back north on GA-59. MCCD officers deployed spike strips, successfully deflating both front tires. State troopers then took over the pursuit as the primary agency. The chase ended when the vehicle left the roadway and came to a stop. The driver attempted to flee on foot, but troopers deployed a department-issued Taser after multiple commands to stop. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident. No injuries were reported. What we don't know The man's name and charges have not been released. The Source The details in this article were provided by the Georgia State Patrol.
