WALKER COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia State Patrol is advising drivers to be especially cautious on the roadways this Memorial Day weekend as one of the country’s busiest travel holidays kicks off amid rainy conditions forecast in the region.
During a ride-along on Thursday, LaFayette-based Trooper 1st Class 1 Ryan Townsend, who heads recruitment in the Northwest region of the state, said the presence and visibility of blue law enforcement lights on roadways can have an impact on how people drive.
“They’re going to be a lot more cautious, more 10-and-2-type driving,” Townsend said. “All of our holiday periods, our primary goal is to reduce fatalities and crashes. And so far, with more troopers on the roadways, we’ve been able to help reduce those numbers.”
The holiday is a big travel weekend for many families as it marks the unofficial start of summer. AAA estimates 39.1 million Americans will travel by car at least 50 miles from their homes during the long weekend.
Georgia State Patrol’s Memorial Day driving tips