Georgia Increases Patrols Ahead of Labor Day Travel

The Georgia Department of Public Safety is increasing law enforcement patrols to target drunk, distracted, and aggressive drivers during the Labor Day travel period. The agency defined the high-risk window as running from Friday at 6 p.m. through Monday at midnight, with the heaviest congestion expected Thursday afternoon and Friday.

Officials are aiming to reduce casualties following a previous holiday period that resulted in 15 deaths and 238 injuries. Crystal Zion, Director of the Department of Public Safety's Public Information Office, stated that the agency would love to be able to say they had zero fatalities during a holiday period, noting that such an outcome would be perfect.

Concurrent with these safety warnings, gas prices in Augusta rose 14 cents overnight, reaching $3.84 per gallon on Tuesday. Authorities are also reminding motorists to comply with the state's Move Over Law when approaching emergency vehicles to ensure first responder safety during the surge in traffic.