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Labor Day traffic was far safer this year than last, GSP says Traffic crashes across Georgia over the 78-hour Labor Day holiday travel period claimed the lives of 11 people, but Wilkes County was largely safe. Washington-based Post 17 Troopers investigated only three accidents involving one injury and no fatalities during the weekend. The post's 206 traffic stops resulted in 102 citations, 142 warnings, and 5 D.U.I. arrests. Troopers logged 4,680 patrol miles during the period. Statewide, the final holiday weekend traffic count from the Georgia State Patrol was 2,579 traffic crashes, 707 injuries and 11 fatalities. The holiday period began at 6 p.m. Friday and ended at midnight Monday. Rain across parts of Georgia Friday night and Saturday contributed to the higher-than-expected number of traffic crashes with almost 45 percent of the total crashes occurring during the first 12 hours of the holiday period. Despite the higher number of crashes, Georgia State Troopers noted the higher percentage of seat belt use in Georgia resulted in the number of injuries and fatalities being lower than anticipated. Traffic estimates for the holiday weekend from the Georgia State Patrol and the Crash Reporting Unit at the Georgia Department of Transportation were for 1,897 crashes, 995 injuries and 18 traffic deaths. Last year, 22 people were killed in a similar 78-hour holiday period. Troopers reported traffic was heavy throughout the weekend on the interstates and state highways. The Georgia State Patrol posts in Blue Ridge, Brunswick, Cartersville, Conyers, Griffin, and Statesboro reported traffic fatalities along with Cobb County Police, DeKalb County Police, and Floyd County Police. Two fatalities each were reported in the fatal crashes investigated by GSP Conyers and Floyd County Police.
The next holiday travel period will be the 102-hour Thanksgiving period that begins Wednesday, November 21 and ends at midnight, Sunday, November 25.
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