Georgia Department of Public Safety

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Following too closely won’t get you there faster.

Leaving extra space between you and the vehicle ahead gives you more time to react and can help prevent serious crashes.

Slow down, stay patient, and give yourself room to stop safely.

For Immediate Release
May 29, 2026

12 People Killed, 222 Injured During 2026 Memorial Day Travel Period

(Atlanta, GA) – Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Troopers investigated five fatal traffic crashes, and local law enforcement agencies investigated seven fatal traffic crashes resulting in 12 deaths across the state during the 78-hour Memorial Day holiday travel period.

Local law enforcement agencies reporting fatalities during the holiday period, which began Friday, May 22, at 6:00 p.m., and ended at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 25, include the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Burke County Sheriff’s Office, Clayton County Police Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Office, and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.

In addition to fatal crashes, Troopers investigated 355 traffic crashes statewide, resulting in 222 injuries. GSP Troopers and CVE Officers made 18,662 traffic stops, arrested 336 individuals for driving under the influence (DUI), and issued 14,182 warnings and 9,782 citations. There were also 746 distracted driving, 936 seatbelt, and 207 child restraint citations issued.

These crash statistics are preliminary findings and can change at any time after the holiday travel period.

2026 Memorial Day Holiday Traffic Count (78-hour Holiday Period)
Friday, May 22, at 6:00 p.m. - Monday, May 25, at 11:59 p.m.

Total Fatalities Reported in Georgia Deaths
Fatalities Investigated by GSP Troopers 5 (9 crashes investigated)
Fatalities Investigated by Local Agencies 7 (7 crashes investigated)
Total Fatalities Statewide 12 (16 crashes investigated)

GSP Troops Agencies Reporting Fatalities Fatalities

Per Troop
Troop AGSP Post 3 Cartersville 1
Troop B None 0
Troop C Clayton Co. PD
GSP Post 48 Atlanta 2
Troop D Bibb Co. SO
GSP Post 4 Villa Rica 2
Troop E Newton Co. SO
GSP Post 46 Monroe
Putnam Co. SO 3
Troop F Burke Co. SO 3
Troop G None 0
Troop H None 0
Troop I GSP Post 18 Reidsville 1
TOTAL FATALITIES 12

Contact:
DPS Public Information Office
[email protected]

Last month, members of our agency participated as assessors for the Maryland State Police during their corporal promotion assessment process.

Someone is watching you today… just like you once watched someone else.

If you’re ready to serve something bigger than yourself, your path could start here.
Go to gastateofficer.com to apply!

Please join us in congratulating our May Service Award recipients and thanking them for their years of commitment to public safety.

Keeping Georgia’s roadways safe takes more than what most people see passing by on the interstate. 🚛⚖️

Our CVE weight inspectors play a critical role in monitoring commercial vehicles, enforcing weight regulations, and helping protect the roads and bridges traveled by millions every day.

Every inspection helps improve safety, reduce roadway damage, and keep commerce moving responsibly across Georgia. 💙

Recently, one of our north Georgia Troopers has come under attack by a local media outlet which sought to villainize her for stopping vehicles and making arrests which were appropriate and in accordance with Georgia law. The Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) has not changed its day-to-day law enforcement operations or practices for compliance with the 287g program. Georgia law authorizes and requires DPS Troopers and Officers to conduct a traffic stop when they have reasonable articulable suspicion or sufficient probable cause to believe the motorist is in violation of a Georgia traffic law. Sworn DPS members do not stop motorists or anyone else for the purpose of checking any immigration status. Should a DPS Trooper or Officer discover that a lawfully stopped motorist was driving while unlicensed, which is an arrestable offense in Georgia, they will transport the driver to the local jail for processing as is the normal course of action for an arrestee in these circumstances.

Corporal Shackleford has our agency’s full support in this matter. While we do not wish to give further attention to this attempt to defame her, we feel compelled to show our support for her and all of our DPS sworn members in their continuing efforts to keep our roadways safe. Immigration enforcement is certainly a divisive topic in our nation, but driving without a valid license in our state is an arrestable offense, citizen or non-citizen alike.

From search assistance to emergency response support, our Aviation Unit helps protect Georgia from above. 🚁💙