Fewer Traffic Fatalities Reported Over Labor Day Weekend

There was a significant drop in traffic fatalities on Georgia Roads over the Labor Day weekend, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

During the 78-hour travel weekend that began on Friday at 6 p.m. through Monday at midnight, there were 6 fatalities and 435 crashes with 225 injuries statewide.

"Contributing to the lower number of fatalities was the heavy rain which kept traffic lighter. Stepped up enforcement and higher seat belt use were also contributing factors," said Gordy Wright, spokesman for Georgia State Patrol, in an e-mail to Patch.

George Gordon, public information officer for the Alpharetta Public Safety Department, agreed with that assessment. He said the anticipation of rain caused by Tropical Storm Lee, coupled with a significant number of people traveling outside of the area reduced the cars on the road and number of accidents.

"All in all it was a good Labor Day weekend for us," Gordon said

Last year the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) reported 360 crashes with 211 injuries and 13 fatalities. Statewide in 2010, with all agencies reporting, there were 14 fatalities, 2,580 crashes and 1,042 injuries reported.

The fatalities over the weekend included one by authorities in Cherokee County, one from the Georgia State Patrol Post in Athens, one from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, one from the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, one from the GSP Post in Thomasville and two from the GSP Post in Walton County.