Fatal Crashes Rose During Holiday

The Georgia State Patrol says there were a higher-than-expected number of traffic fatalities on Georgia roads over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period.

Traffic crashes killed 26 people during the period which began Wednesday at 6 p.m. and ended Sunday night at midnight. The number of deaths was higher than the 18 deaths estimated and higher than the 19 deaths seen during the same period last year.

Despite the increase in crashes, State Patrol officials say a high rate of seat belt use led to a decrease in injuries, which totaled 844.