Remember the rules of the road this holiday travel season

Published 11:51 am Saturday, December 24, 2016

An estimated 103 million Americans will be hitting the roadways between this weekend and the end of the year, according to AAA. That’s the most travelers for any period on record, according to AAA officials, an increase from last year of around 1.5 percent. 

The official holiday travel period in Georgia began at 6 p.m. on Friday and will continue through midnight Tuesday, Jan. 3. Already this year the number of fatalities on Georgia’s roadways has exceeded last year, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

The number of people who have died in traffic crashes in Georgia so far this year is running 5 percent higher than at the same time in 2015 when 1,432 people were killed in traffic crashes for the entire year, according to the state office. More than 60 percent of those killed in traffic crashes this year in Georgia were not wearing seatbelts.

Any death on Georgia’s roadways is one too many, which is why we all need to do our part to ensure there aren’t any more of them between now and the end of the year.

The 39 people killed in traffic crashes during last year’s holiday period in Georgia was 40 percent higher from the same period from 2014.  

we can all do our part in keeping the activity down by practicing safe driving and making a concerted effort to use sound judgment when out on the road. We can help curb the number of accidents by eliminating bad practices. Don’t drive while distracted — if it’s urgent or important, pull over and find a safe location to text. Never text while behind the wheel. It’s just not worth it to put so many lives in danger. For those who plan to be out on New Year’s Eve — if you drink, find a designated driver or a safe way to get home — and take the keys from friends who drink. Speeders take note — there will be a heavier patrol presence to help cut down on infractions.

All drivers should be on guard for what may be going on in the next vehicle as well.

Let’s all make a concerted effort to be on guard on the roads during this extremely busy travel period. If we all obey the rules and do what we can to keep each other safe we can end the year on a positive note and enjoy the holidays — safe and sound.