(ATLANTA, GA) – – Traffic crashes across Georgia during the New Year’s Day holiday travel period resulted in 18 deaths resulting from 16 crashes. This year’s 78-hour holiday travel period began Friday, December 30, at 6:00 p.m. and ended Monday, January 2, at 11:59 p.m.
Statewide, Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Troopers investigated nine fatal crashes resulting in nine fatalities. Local agencies reporting traffic deaths during the 2022 New Year’s holiday travel period include: Clayton County Police, Dekalb County Police Department (4), Glynn County Police Department, Gwinnett County Police (2), Hampton Police Department, and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to fatal crashes, Troopers investigated more than 400 traffic crashes that caused over 200 injuries. Additionally, over 330 people were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), while more than 7,000 citations and over 8,500 warnings were issued.
A Florida man was killed in a two vehicle accident in Bartow New Year’s Eve. According to GSP reports, On Saturday, December 31, at approximately 11:43 AM, Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on the I-75 SB entrance ramp #285. The investigation determined a red GMC truck was traveling south on the I-75 exit ramp in the right turn lane. A black Ford F250 pulling a camper was parked on the shoulder. The driver of the Ford F250 was outside of his vehicle checking his camper. The red GMC truck traveled onto the right shoulder, striking the left side of the camper, the driver of the black Ford F250, and the black Ford F250. After impact, the red GMC continued traveling south, traveling over the median on Red Top Mountain Road before coming to a controlled rest on the left shoulder of I-75 SB entrance ramp #285. The deceased driver of the black Ford F250 was identified as William Riley age 56 of Tallahassee, FL. The driver of the red GMC was placed under arrest for DUI and other related traffic charges.
This year’s fatal crashes slightly increased from the 2021 New Year’s Day travel period when 16 deaths stemmed from 14 fatal crashes. Currently, it is too soon to determine why the number of fatalities and fatality crashes rose this year; however, Troopers heavily patrol the roadways during the New Year’s Day travel period, with the goal of reducing fatalities. Variables such as the number of drivers traveling this year, weather, the economy, and other factors impact each year’s final fatality and crash numbers.
.New Year’s Holiday Traffic Count
78-Hour Holiday Travel Period
Friday, December 30, at 6:00 p.m., to Monday, January 2, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
| Total Fatalities Reported in Georgia | Deaths |
| Fatalities Investigated by GSP Troopers | 8 (8 fatal crashes) |
| Fatalities Investigated by Local Agencies | 10 (8 fatal crashes) |
| 18 (16 fatal crashes) |
| Troops | Agencies reporting fatalities | Total Fatalities | Total Crashes |
| Troop A | Post 3; Post 29 | 2 | 2 |
| Troop B | |||
| Troop C | Post 49; Clayton County PD; Dekalb County PD (4); Gwinnett County PD (2) | 8 | 6 |
| Troop D | Hampton PD; Monroe County SO | 2 | 2 |
| Troop E | Post 8 | 1 | 1 |
| Troop F | Post 20 (2) | 2 | 2 |
| Troop G | Post 12 | 1 | 1 |
| Troop H | |||
| Troop I | Post 23; Glynn County PD | 2 | 2 |
| 18 | 16 |