State Patrol Warns Holiday Motorists to Buckle Up, Drive Sober

As the Christmas and New Year’s holidays rapidly approach, Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Troopers and Motor Carrier Compliance (MCCD) Officers across the state are preparing for the back-to-back holiday weekends and will conduct high visibility patrols on the heaviest travel days to remind motorists to drive safely.

This year’s Christmas holiday travel period begins Friday, December 23, at 6 p.m., and ends Monday, December 26, at 11:59 p.m.

The New Year’s holiday travel period gets underway Friday, December 30, at 6:00 p.m., and ends at 11:59 p.m., on Monday, January 2, 2023. Both are 78 hours long.

“We want everyone to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends; however, we want all motorists to make safety a priority when traveling on Georgia’s roadways,” said Colonel Chris. C. Wright, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS). “Drivers should obey the posted speed limit, avoid distractions, drive sober, wear seatbelts and ensure children are properly restrained, as well as be courteous to other drivers,” added Colonel Wright.

Nationally, an estimated 112.7 million people will journey 50 miles or more away from home from December 23 to January 2.

In addition to increased traffic, the end of the year is also the time when Troopers and Officers see an increase in the number of impaired drivers on Georgia’s roads.

Wright said last year’s Christmas holiday travel period resulted in 195 drivers being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), and 254 drivers were arrested during the New Year’s holiday for the same offense.

Wright said if you are caught driving impaired at any time of the year, you will be arrested and you will go to jail.