Georgia DPS urges safe driving for Christmas and New Year’s travel periods

The Georgia Department of Public Safety is urging motorists to prioritize safe driving during the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holiday travel periods, according to an official press release.

The agency said high-visibility patrols will be conducted statewide on interstates and state routes to help reduce crashes and fatalities.

According to the release, the Christmas travel period begins Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. and ends Sunday, Dec. 28, at 11:59 p.m. The New Year’s holiday travel period runs from Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 6 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Each period lasts 102 hours.

The release identifies Colonel William W. Hitchens III as commissioner of the Department of Public Safety and attributes safety reminders to him, including calls for motorists to drive sober, stay alert and obey traffic laws.

The press release also cites results from prior holiday enforcement periods. During the 2024 Christmas holiday travel period, five fatalities were reported statewide, while the Georgia State Patrol investigated 186 crashes resulting in nearly 72 injuries and three fatalities. During the 2024–25 New Year’s holiday travel period, five fatalities occurred statewide, and the Georgia State Patrol investigated 271 crashes leading to approximately 118 injuries and four of the five fatalities.

The release says AAA projects 109.5 million Americans will travel by car for year-end trips this holiday season, a 2% increase over last year, with 89% of travelers choosing to drive.

The agency also noted that December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month and said updated traffic fatality counts will be published on the Department of Public Safety’s social media platforms during the holiday period.