LAKE BLACKSHEAR, Ga. (WALB) — Local and state law enforcement officials came together Thursday, May 21, to remind the public about safe driving practices ahead of the busy holiday weekend.

More than one million Georgians are expected to travel during 2026’s Memorial Day Weekend, officials said.

According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), state data shows 15 people died in traffic crashes during last year’s Memorial Day Weekend.

Nationwide data also shows nearly half of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in Georgia during Memorial Day weekends from 2020 to 2024 involved people who were not wearing seat belts.

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Officials urge defensive driving

“There’s no way to know what’s going to happen. You have to be prepared for anything. That’s why you also want to drive safely for yourself. But you also want to be aware. Avoid distractions so you know what other drivers are doing. And that gives you a chance to react and hopefully prevent a collision. Or if not, you know, reduce the severity of the injuries by reacting,” Hitchens said.

Officials said they will be patrolling the area heavily, watching for any signs of unsafe driving, including seat belt violations.

“Well, we see it many times. That one bad decision to drink and drive can cost you your life or it can cost the life of somebody else. Not wearing a seatbelt if it should be the result of another accident or something. So we just want people to make sure that they’re doing what the common sense things are. And I think the best comment was when he said, you know, the laws are not a suggestion. They’re here for a reason,” said Billy Hancock, Crisp County sheriff.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety wants drivers to remember four things this Memorial Day weekend: follow the speed limit, always wear your seatbelt, never drive impaired, and don’t drive distracted.

State troopers and local law enforcement said they will be increasing enforcement efforts throughout the holiday weekend, watching for speeding, seat belt violations, distracted driving and impaired drivers.

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