State troopers out in force all Labor Day weekend

State troopers will be out in force during the long Labor Day weekend, one of the year’s heaviest traveling times.

The 78-hour Labor Day travel period begins at 6 p.m. Friday and ends at midnight Monday.

“This holiday weekend, the Georgia State Patrol has one goal in mind — safety,” Col. Mark W. McDonough, commissioner for the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said in a release.

“Troopers take saving lives seriously and will be out on full patrols actively looking for unsafe and impaired drivers,” he said.

Last Labor Day weekend, nine people were killed and 293 people were injured in 453 traffic crashes that the Georgia State Patrol investigated.

State troopers also arrested 316 people for drunken driving. They also issued 7,359 citations and 12,143 warnings.

Motorists should allow ample time to reach destinations, wear seat belts, avoid distracted driving and obey speed limits.

This holiday period, state troopers are joining sheriff’s deputies and police officers participating in Operation Zero Tolerance, a nationwide mobilization against impaired drivers.

People who plan to consume alcohol should choose a designated driver ahead of time or call a taxi, friend or family member for a ride home.

Also this holiday period, state troopers are participating in Operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort, a nationwide initiative among state highway patrols and state police agencies that includes high visibility patrols.

This story was originally published August 30, 2016 at 11:54 AM with the headline "State troopers out in force all Labor Day weekend."