ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Authorities urged drivers to drive responsibly over the Independence Day holiday weekend.

“We urge everyone to follow traffic laws, drive sober, avoid distractions, wear seatbelts, and make sure children are properly restrained,” said Colonel William W. Hitchens III, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. “State Troopers and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers will be out in full force on Georgia’s interstates, highways, and local roads throughout the holiday period.”

According to AAA, a record 61.6 million people are expected to travel by car this Independence Day—an increase of 2.2% from last year, and the highest volume on record.

Georgia State Patrol (GSP) said the final numbers are in, there have been a total of 13 traffic fatalities and over 135 injures during the holiday travel period. GSP investigated more than 275 traffic crashes across the state.

In addition to these fatal incidents, GSP troopers and CVE officers conducted over 20,970 traffic stops, made more than 490 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI), and issued over 14,710 warnings and 11,665 citations.

Enforcement efforts also included over 790 citations for distracted driving, nearly 1,335 for seatbelt violations, and more than 250 for child restraint violations.

According to DPS, last year’s 102-hour holiday period resulted in a total of 537 traffic crashes with 312 injuries and 12 fatalities investigated by the department. In addition, there were 15,942 citations, 18,529 warnings, and 472 DUI arrests by state troopers and commercial vehicle officers.

The Independence Day holiday travel period, which began on Thursday, July 3 at 6 p.m., ended 78 hours later on Sunday, July 6 at 11:59 p.m.

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