July 4 Holiday Fatality Predictions

Posted Monday, July 3, 2006

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ATLANTA) The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety (DMVS) have released their predictions for traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities for the extended 2006 July 4th Holiday weekend period. Crash analysis experts at GSP and DMVS are predicting 2,700 traffic crashes, 1,300 injuries and 23 fatalities during this 102-hour holiday period.

Last year, there were 2,257 crashes resulting in 1,183 injuries and 24 fatalities during a 78-hour July 4th Holiday period.

GSP Colonel Bill Hitchens said “Last year,ten of those traffic deaths in Georgia involved an alcohol or drugimpaired driverand twelve of those killed were not wearing seatbelts or using other safety equipment. The statistics bear out the reasons why State Troopers will be on full patrol targeting impaired drivers during the holiday period.”

More than 500 other local law enforcement agencies will partner with GSP to save lives during the July 4th Holiday period. Enforcement of “Operation Zero Tolerance” is already underway. The OZT statewide impaired driving crackdown is coordinated each year by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).

GOHS Director Robert Dallas said motorists should expect to encounter random sobriety road checks and concentrated patrols all across Georgia. “And as part of the “100 Days of Summer H.E.A.T.” enforcement campaign, officers will also be ticketing drivers who violate the posted speed limits. Speed related crashes were the cause behind a quarter of Georgia’s highway deaths in 2004.”

“This combined high visibility enforcement has proven effective for raising driver awareness and staying sober, staying alive and staying out of those holiday fatality statistics,” said Director Dallas. “We’re still working to save lives one ticket at a time this summer. Remember, it’s about raising survival rates, not revenue. So when you plan to party this holiday, plan first for a designated driver. Don’t let July 4th blow up in your face. Because, “You Drink, You Drive, You Lose.”

Sourc: Atlantadaybook.com

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