Our Take: Summertime means travel, so be careful as you hit the road…

Finally all of the schools have held their graduation ceremonies and the summer travel season can officially begin. Now is the time that families all over Georgia, nay the country, are gearing up for the great American road trip. More drivers on the road not only means traffic jams and delays, but increased risk. 

A lot of automobile accidents happen in Georgia every year. In 2023 there were nearly 2 million crashes with almost 8,000 fatalities according to data from the Georgia Department of Transportation.  Information from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety shows that, in 2021 Georgia ranked fourth in the nation in traffic fatalities. Over half involved a distracted driver. Too many of those involved motorists and passengers not wearing their seatbelts. 

That’s not a ranking we should want to be known for. 

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This information shouldn’t scare us or prevent us from living our lives, but let’s use it to make Georgia’s roads and highways safer in the years to come. As you hit the road this travel season, make sure you are obeying traffic laws, observing speed limits and keeping an eye on your surroundings. 

Also, be on the lookout for other hazards such as road crews, construction sites and other areas along travel corridors that require a little more attention. Dublin isn’t the only city that likes tearing up roads for extended construction projects (that’s a not-so-subtle jab at the very-much-behind schedule Madison Street project). Do your research and plan ahead with mapping your course.  

In short, pay attention to what you’re doing. You don’t need to multi-task when you’re driving.  

Enjoy your vacation this summer, but don’t relax too much until you’re safe and sound at your destination, and then home again. Your family will thank you.