Area, State Marking New Year’s Holiday

Authorities are reporting no fatal crashes in Georgia so far this New Year’s holiday period.

The New Year’s holiday travel period began at 6 p.m. Tuesday and runs through midnight tonight.

Last year, there were seven fatalities on Georgia highways during a much longer 102-hour holiday period.

Authorities are cautioning drivers to plan for a sober designated driver if alcohol consumption will be part of the celebrations.

The New Year’s holiday travel period is a mobilization period for Operation Zero Tolerance. 

Georgia State Troopers will be teaming up with law enforcement officials from across the state for high visibility enforcement patrols that target impaired drivers.

Authorities also urged drivers to make sure everyone is buckled up in the vehicle, that they obey the posted speed limit, plan trips carefully, and do not text and drive.

Also, the Georgia Department of Transportation continues to suspend construction-related lane closures on the state’s major state routes and interstates through 5 a.m. tomorrow.

Stephens County government offices are closed today in observance of New Year’s Day.

Toccoa City Hall is also closed today in observance of the holiday.

In the city of Toccoa, routes for garbage and recycling scheduled to be picked up today will be picked up on Thursday.

Commercial garbage will be picked up as usual, but yard waste and other items will not be picked up.