The last hurrah of summer, Labor Day weekend sends some families packing and spurs others to hit local events. This year promises to be no different, and public safety agencies are urging Georgians to plan ahead to stay safe.
Whether you’re going on a road trip or traveling locally, expect heavier traffic, said Col. Mark McDonough, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
“Troopers and motor carrier officers will be on patrol in full force for the upcoming 78-hour Labor Day holiday travel period this weekend,” McDonough said. “They will focus their attention on speeders, unrestrained occupants, as well as distracted and impaired drivers.”
In 2018, 18 people died in crashes on Georgia roads over the Labor Day weekend. Earlier this year, 17 people were killed in Memorial Day weekend crashes, a sharp rise from eight the previous year, according to the DPS.
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As Hurricane Dorian approaches the Southeast coast, Georgia interstates could see even more travelers as those in the path of the storm move inland. Dorian is expected to make landfall on Florida’s east coast on Monday, meteorologist Katie Walls with Channel 2 Action News said.
The forecast for metro Atlanta includes partly cloudy skies, and both Saturday and Sunday should be dry, with high temperatures in the upper 80s, according to Channel 2. Isolated storms are possible Monday.
For those not traveling, Atlanta is hosting several events that typically bring big crowds, including DragonCon and Atlanta Black Pride, and the nearby AJC Decatur Book Festival. Other events include the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game between Duke University and the University of Alabama, being played Saturday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Credit: Bob Andres
Credit: Bob Andres
An estimated 400,000 people are expected this weekend in Atlanta, making it one of the busiest weekends of the year, according to the city’s Police Department. Those heading into downtown and Midtown should allow extra travel time and consider taking MARTA, ride-share services or carpooling, police said.
Atlanta officers will be highly visible all weekend in the city, according to police Chief Erika Shields.
“Labor Day weekend in Atlanta offers a broad variety of events that bring our communities together with a common goal of celebrating our diverse passions,” Shields said in an emailed statement. “We encourage everyone to enjoy the events responsibly and know that our officers are out there working to keep them safe.”
On Saturday, MARTA transit ambassadors and additional Breeze card agents will be available to assist passengers, the transit company said. Check the MARTA website and social media for updates on parking and any service alerts.
Police advise those attending weekend events to be mindful of their surroundings and report anything suspicious.
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