As of 6:00 Saturday evening, the state patrol was reporting nine traffic fatalities in Georgia since the 102-hour holiday counting period began at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday. None had been reported in northeast Georgia.
In addition, state troopers had written tickets for 167 DUIs, 444 for distract driving (which usually means violating the state’s hands-free cellphone law), and 649 for seatbelt violations.
One speeding arrest which was made on Georgia 400 near Pilgrim Mill Road in Forsyth County turned violent when, according to the report, the driver began arguing with the troopers and refused to get out of her car. At that point, the officers broke the driver’s door window and removed the driver.
The holiday count will end at midnight Sunday.