State, Albany area law enforcement remind people to drive safe this Thanksgiving weekend

ALBANY — More than 1 million Georgians are expected to be on the road during the Thanksgiving weekend, and law enforcement agencies are preparing to save lives and prevent crashes.

The number of people killed in passenger vehicle crashes in Georgia during the Thanksgiving travel period increased by 75% between 2017 to 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

About half of people killed in passenger car crashes during that five-year period on the holiday weekend in Georgia weren’t wearing a seat belt.

Because of these statistics, representatives from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Georgia State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies offered road safety advice during a news conference Tuesday.

Law enforcement agencies said they expect to see an increase in travel this year, Capt. Tommy Peeples with the Georgia State Patrol said. The Thanksgiving travel period begins Wednesday — it’s one of the busiest travel days of the year.

Eighteen people lost their lives on the road in Georgia during the Thanksgiving period last year, he said. The goal is to reduce that number.

Peeples offered seven tips from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and NHTSA:

♦ Do not speed;

♦ Make sure all passengers are properly fastened in the car before starting your trip, especially young ones. Georgia law requires all children under 8 years old to ride in a child safety seat that meets guidelines for the child’s size. Minor children over 8 are required to wear a seat belt;

♦ Keep your eyes on the road. Don’t look at your phone;

♦ Program navigation devices before the trip begins

♦ Take breaks on long trips;

♦ Don’t drink and drive;

♦ Check your car before you travel, including tire pressure, batteries, head and tail lights, etc.

The Georgia State Patrol is making driver safety a top priority, Peeples said.

“Help us by doing these simple things so that we won’t see any senseless loss of life on our highways during this holiday period,” he said.

Our goal is to make sure everyone gets where they are going and home safely, Jimmy Sumner, the deputy director for the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety said.

“If you are going to be traveling this weekend … I have one thing to say: ‘Buckle your seat belt,’” he said. “It’s the most important thing you can do.”

NHTSA estimates seat belts saved more than 100,000 lives in the last decade. That number could be higher, Sumner said. All safety features in vehicles are based on passengers wearing seat belts.

Drivers should expect to see state troopers and local law enforcement officers patrolling roadways throughout the state beginning Wednesday, Peeples said. Law enforcement will be looking for people not obeying the speed limit, not wearing seat belts, improperly restrained children and distracted driving.

Albany Police Chief Michael Persley asked the public to take charge and protect themselves and the people around them by obeying traffic laws.

“We want everyone to get to their destination safe and sound and have a joyous time,” he said.