18 Killed On GA Roadways During Labor Day Weekend

ROSWELL, GA — The Georgia Department of Public Safety said 18 people died during the Labor Day holiday travel period for 2018. Georgia state troopers were called to investigate 446 traffic accidents, which resulted in 203 injuries and nine fatalities.

Along with those investigations, 322 people were arrested for driving under the influence, while 9,008 citations and 12,180 warnings were issued. The 78-hour-long travel period began at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 and wrapped up at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3.

Local agencies that reported traffic deaths during the holiday period include the Cobb County, Clayton County and Union City police departments and the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. Those officers and deputies investigated collisions that resulted in nine traffic fatalities, GSP said.

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One fatality occurred Saturday afternoon when a 49-year-old woman died on her way to the hospital after striking a tree in a single-vehicle crash in Bartow County.

The 2018 figures on fatalities represent a steep spike compared to the 2017 stats. Last year, GSP reported nine fatalities during the same Labor Day period, four of which it investigated and the remaining five handled by local jurisdictions. Across the state, troopers investigated 398 traffic crashes that resulted in 206 injuries, and 4 fatalities.

In addition to the traffic crash investigations, 248 people were arrested for driving under the influence, while 8,193 citations and 11,420 warnings were issued.

Image via Georgia State Patrol