Patrols target speeders and impaired drivers during Memorial Day weekend

Authorities said state troopers will target speeders and impaired drivers in Georgia and Alabama during the Memorial Day weekend, which kicked off Friday afternoon.

In anticipation of the start of summer, AAA projects more than 38 million Americans will hit the road for the travel period that started at 6 p.m. Friday and ends at midnight Monday.

In Georgia, state troopers will be enforcing speed limits, seat belt usage and looking for impaired drivers, said Col. Mark W. McDonough, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

“Our goal is to intercept dangerous drivers before they can cause a fatal crash,” he said.

Whether you are on the roadways or waterways, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reminds everyone to play it safe during the holiday. Troopers assigned to highway patrol and marine patrol divisions will work to create a highly visible enforcement presence and promote public safety.

“We urge motorists and boaters of all ages to obey all traffic and boating laws to ensure everyone enjoys the extended holiday weekend and the coming warm-weather months,” said Stan Stabler, secretary of law enforcement. “We would like nothing more than to reduce the number of traffic and boating crashes, injuries and fatalities. We will team with our county and municipal law enforcement partners to serve and protect the citizens of Alabama, particularly on Memorial Day weekend, when we typically see more traffic.”

This Memorial Day is the second-highest travel volume on record and the most since 2005, AAA said in a release. More people may be traveling because of low gas prices.

Last year, Georgia troopers investigated 472 traffic crashes that left 297 people injured and 10 dead. Troopers also arrested 270 people for driving under the influence and issued 8,328 citations.

Ten people died in traffic crashes in Alabama last year, authorities said.

In addition to the holiday, officials said the weekend includes graduation ceremonies, festivals and vacation travelers. McDonough said motorists should be alert, patient and courteous to one another to help prevent crashes.

Through Memorial Day, state highway patrols and police are joining forces to educate the public on the wearing seat belts as part of All American Buckle-Up Week.

Troopers in Alabama will be looking for motorists who are not buckled up, said Col. John E. Richardson, director of the Department of Public Safety.

This story was originally published May 27, 2016 at 8:56 PM with the headline "Patrols target speeders and impaired drivers during Memorial Day weekend."