New Year's Crashes Kill 3, Injure 28, GA Authorities Say

Georgia authorities say three people have died in crashes and more than 170 people are facing driving under the influence charges so far during the New Year's Day holiday travel period.

The Georgia State Patrol said its latest data was as of 6 a.m. Friday. With two more days left in the travel period, which started Wednesday and will end at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, the report is not yet finalized.

Authorities did not say where in Georgia the fatal crashes occurred, but said 28 people were injured in accidents throughout the state.

Of the 77 total crashes, 13 of them involved the driver being under the influence, and two of them involved a commercial motor vehicle, authorities said.

Troopers cited nearly 1,600 people with seatbelt violations and charged 158 with distracted driving, authorities said.

"Our troopers are out during the holiday travel period to reduce crashes and keep roads safe from impaired drivers. Failing to stop at a road check only escalates the situation and creates unnecessary danger," authorities said around 11 a.m. Friday.

RELATED: 15 Killed, 200+ DUI Arrests During Christmas Travel Period In GA

At Christmas, holiday crashes claimed the lives of more than 15 people in Georgia, the GSP said at the time.

Authorities charged 274 people with driving under the influence and 489 people with distracted driving, the GSP said. More than 650 seatbelt citations were distributed.

“State troopers and officers remain committed to enforcing Georgia’s traffic laws and addressing unsafe driving behaviors that can lead to serious injuries or fatal crashes,” Col. William W. Hitchens III, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said in a past news release. “We urge all motorists to make safety their top priority when traveling on Georgia’s roadways.”

The GSP's final crash report annually includes data from local law-enforcement agencies. It has not yet been released.