Georgia's roads have proven deadly during the Memorial Day holiday travel period. State troopers have logged 219 DUI arrests and responded to nine fatal crashes in the first 48 hours of the 78-hour enforcement period.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety released the sobering statistics Sunday as troopers continued stepped-up patrols statewide. In addition to impaired driving arrests, officers pulled over more than 230 drivers for distracted driving and issued nearly 300 citations for seat belt violations.
Fourteen separate traffic crashes involved impaired drivers, though officials said it remains unclear whether any of the fatal incidents involved DUI.
State game wardens also released their first round of waterway incident numbers. At least one person was injured in a boating incident in Gainesville, and authorities reported one boating under the influence arrest.
Separately, a 7-year-old girl was injured after being thrown from a watercraft on Lake Hartwell. The 18-year-old operator was cited for operating an unregistered vessel and lacking boating education. Alcohol was not a factor in that incident.
Officials are urging all motorists to drive sober, buckle up, and put their phones down. With rainy conditions expected through Monday, travel may be even more hazardous than usual.