Final holiday traffic count for Thanksgiving travel period is in

The final Holiday traffic count for the Thanksgiving travel period is in.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety released earlier this week the total number of traffic crashes across Georgia during the holiday travel period which resulted in 12 traffic deaths.

This year, the holiday travel period was 102 hours long, beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26.

In a press release, released prior to the holiday travel period, the GSP had predicted 2,915 traffic crashes, 1,301 injuries and 20 traffic deaths on Georgia roads; however, the actual numbers were significantly lower.

Statewide, Georgia State Troopers investigated 627 traffic crashes that resulted in 294 injuries, and 12 fatalities.

Out of the 12 fatalities throughout the state, Troop B, which covers Northeast Georgia reported 5 traffic deaths.

Troop B, had three posts investigate the 5 reported deaths, including Gainesville Post 6; Toccoa Post 7; and Athens Post 32.

The other Posts in the region did not report or investigate any other traffic deaths.

In addition to the traffic crash investigations, 299 people were arrested for driving under the influence, while 11,289 citations and 15,619 warnings were issued.

Last year during a similar 102-hour holiday period, there were 2,760 traffic crashes that resulted in 1,227 injuries and 17 traffic deaths.

For more information regarding this year’s holiday travel period for Thanksgiving visit dps.georgia.gov.