More troopers will patrol during holiday weekend

The Georgia State Patrol's 953 troopers will provide a more visible presence than usual during the long holiday weekend, during which 16 traffic fatalities are predicted statewide.

"We will have checkpoints set up around the state for seatbelts, and for sobriety," said Lt. Paul Cosper, spokesman for the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

The 102-hour period from 6 p.m. today through midnight Sunday is traditionally one of the year's busiest in terms of travel, Lt. Cosper said during a Wednesday briefing at the State Patrol's new office near Grovetown.

According to computer-generated statistics, there will be -- in addition to the 16 fatalities -- 3,570 accidents that will result in 1,398 injuries.

Last year. Lt. Cosper said, 19 fatalities were reported.

"The highest we've ever had was 43, in 1969," he said. "The lowest we ever recorded was four -- in 1947."

Typically, no more than 50 percent of the state's troopers can be off at a given time.

During Thanksgiving weekend and other peak travel times, no more than 25 percent can be off duty.

Weather patterns are favorable for a low accident rate this year, he said.

"When it's rainy and wet we have more accidents and a risk for more fatalities, but the forecast right now for most of the state is nice, all the way through Sunday."

Wearing seat belts and avoiding alcohol are two primary ways to reduce accidents and stay safe, he said.

Last year, seven of the 19 fatalities involved victims who were not wearing seat belts.

The holiday traffic count is updated throughout the holiday weekend beginning this morning.

It is posted on the Georgia Department of Public Safety Web site: dps.georgia.gov.