State Patrol predicts 20 holiday traffic deaths

The Georgia State Patrol is predicting 20 traffic deaths on Georgia roads during the 102-hour New Year's Day holiday weekend that begins Wednesday at 6 p.m. and ends at midnight Sunday.

Lieutenant Paul Cosper of the Georgia State Patrol says speeding is a big culprit:

"People don't leave that safety zone. They'll get to traveling at speed and they'll tailgate, and next thing you know; somebody applies the brakes, and somebody's not paying attention, and we have a wreck."

Cosper estimates there will be more than 3,000 accidents and over with 1,300 injuries.

Last year during a 102-hour holiday period there were 2,109 accidents with 1,250 injuries and 22 deaths.

The national “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” campaign begun December 19th also concludes this weekend.

But Department of Public Safety officials say troopers will be out in force making spot sobriety checks.

The Department of Public Safety website will update the holiday period traffic count every six hours.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of traffic issues statewide.