Traffic crashes across Georgia during the Independence Day holiday travel period resulted in 18 traffic deaths in 2024, according to a press release issued by the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) on July 9. The statistics were compiled across 102 hours (Wednesday, July 3, 6 p.m. – Sunday, July 7, 11:59 p.m.) marked by DPS as the official July Fourth holiday travel period. There were no traffic deaths in the Savannah-Chatham County area, according to DPS.

“Statewide, Georgia State Patrol Troopers investigated 12 fatal crashes,” the press release says. “Local agencies reporting traffic deaths during the holiday period include the Albany Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Police Department, DeKalb County Police Department, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, and Henry County Police Department.”

“Troopers investigated over 500 traffic crashes that resulted in more than 500 injuries. Troopers and Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) Officers made over 33,000 traffic stops and issued more than 19,400 citations, over 23,000 warnings, and made 500 DUI arrests. The crash statistics are preliminary findings and can change any time after the holiday travel period.”

Last year’s travel period was also 102 hours long. It resulted in nine fatal traffic accidents across the state, according to DPS data. The 2023 numbers included 15,459 citations issued and 502 DUI arrests. There were 713 traffic accidents last year. They caused 385 injuries and nine fatalities.

This article appears in Connect Savannah I July 2024.