Twenty People killed in Christmas Holiday Travel Period

Traffic crashes across Georgia during the Christmas holiday travel period resulted in 20 traffic deaths resulting from 18 fatal crashes. This year, the holiday travel period was 78-hours long. It began at 6pm on Thursday, Dec. 24, and ended at 11:59pm on Sunday, Dec. 27.  Statewide, Georgia State Troopers investigated 251 traffic crashes that resulted in 91 injuries and 11 fatalities from nine fatal crashes.  Local agencies reporting nine traffic deaths from nine fatal crashes during the holiday period were the Atlanta Police Department, the Clayton County Police Department, the Cobb County Police Department, the DeKalb County Police Department, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, the Gwinnett County Police Department, and the Warner Robins Police Department. One fatality was reported in each fatal crash.  In addition to the traffic crash investigations, troopers and officers of the Department of Public Safety arrested 173 people for driving under the influence, while 7,259 citations and 9,815 warnings were issued.  Citations were also issued for 485 seat belts, 130 child restraints, 4,347 speeding, and 344 distracted driving violations.