Update: At midnight May 25, the end of the 78-hour travel period monitored by the Georgia Department of Public Safety, the number of people who had died on Georgia Roads was 12, double the six fatalities reported in 2025 over the same period. This included a 32-year-old woman from Monroe who died in a singe vehicle rollover crash on Highway 78 in Walton County Saturday.
UPDATE: May 25-2026 – At 5:33 a.m. on Memorial Day, with 18 hours left in the 2026 Memorial Day holiday, Georgia Department of Public Safety had already recorded nine fatalities on Georgia roads during the 78-hour holiday travel period. This compares to six recorded over the whole 78 hours last year. Officials continue to urge safety as motorists return from Memorial Day events.
UPDATE: May 24, 2026 – As at noon on Saturday, May 23, the Georgia Department of Public Safety reported that three people had died on Georgia roads so far over the 78-hour Memorial Day Travel period. This included a 32-year-old woman from Monroe who died in a singe vehicle rollover crash on Highway 78 in Walton County Saturday morning investigated by Post 46 of the Georgia State Patrol.
Over the 78-hour travel period during the 2025 Memorial Day travel, GSP investigated a total of six fatalities on Georgia roads.
The GDPS and GSP continue to urge caution as motorists embark on travel during this Memorial Day weekend.
(ATLANTA, GA) – As travelers across Georgia prepare for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) is urging motorists to make safety a priority by avoiding impaired and distracted driving, buckling up, and practicing responsible driving behaviors as you travel to spend time with friends and family.
Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the summer travel season and is historically one of the year’s busiest travel periods. Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Troopers and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Officers will increase patrols statewide and focus this enforcement on speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, seat belt violations, and other dangerous driving behaviors.
This year’s Memorial Day holiday travel period will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 22, and end Monday, May 25, at midnight. The travel period is 78 hours long.
During the 2025 Memorial Day holiday period, the Georgia State Patrol investigated 331 traffic crashes that resulted in 120 injuries and six traffic deaths. In addition to the traffic crash investigations, Troopers and CVE Officers arrested 400 people for DUI.
“Memorial Day is a time to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country,” said Colonel William W. Hitchens, III, DPS Commissioner. “We want everyone celebrating the holiday weekend to do so responsibly and safely so that all Georgians and those visiting our state can return home to their loved ones, added Colonel Hitchens.”
Holiday Travel Safety Tips
- Never drive impaired — plan for a sober driver or alternate transportation.
- Avoid distractions and keep your attention on the roadway.
- Always wear your seatbelt and ensure all children are properly restrained.
- Obey posted speed limits and allow for extra travel time.Move over for emergency vehicles and roadside workers, as required by law.
- According to AAA, 39.1 million people are projected to travel by car over the Memorial Day weekend, a slight jump over last year.
Worst Times to Travel by Car
SOURCE: INRIX
The Georgia Department of Public Safety wishes everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend as we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation.
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