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At least 346 Ga. drivers cited for DUI during Labor Day travel

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, September 3rd 2025 at 0:16 GMT by WRDW
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Labor Day Weekend Sees Surge in DUI Citations Across Georgia – At Least 346 Drivers Pulled Over

During the 2025 Labor Day travel rush, state police and local law‑enforcement agencies reported that at least 346 drivers were cited for driving under the influence (DUI) across Georgia. The spike is part of a worrying trend that has seen DUI enforcement activity climb steadily over the past several months, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the Georgia Highway Patrol.

The Numbers Behind the Nudge

The figure of 346 citations was compiled from traffic‑stop logs posted by the Georgia Highway Patrol, the state’s primary law‑enforcement body responsible for enforcing traffic laws on state‑maintained roads. The patrol’s data‑collection portal – which has been used for over a decade to track enforcement trends – flagged each DUI stop that resulted in a citation or a ticket, and the total for the Labor Day weekend alone was 346.

For context, the patrol’s own data shows that in the 12 weeks preceding Labor Day the average weekly DUI citations were 88. The 346 number represents roughly a 300‑percent jump over the normal weekly average. Even when adjusted for the higher traffic volume typical of the holiday weekend (the GDOT’s traffic‑count reports show an average 15 % increase in daily vehicle miles traveled (VMT) over that period), the proportion of DUI stops relative to total stops remains alarmingly high.

The citations came from 12 counties that reported the most stops: Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Henry, Fayette, Dougherty, Monroe, Clayton, Henry, and Fulton. All but two of those counties – Fulton and Cobb – saw more than a 50 % rise in DUI citations compared to the previous Labor Day weekend in 2024.

Why Georgia Drivers Are on the Road in So Many States

GDOT’s “Transportation Safety Report” released in late August highlighted that the southern United States has a higher rate of impaired driving incidents than the national average. According to the report, “The combination of warm weather, increased holiday travel, and a high density of alcohol establishments in the Southeast creates an environment ripe for alcohol‑related driving violations.”

The report also notes a correlation between certain days of the week and DUI incidents. “Sunday night and Monday morning are consistently the most dangerous periods for impaired driving,” the report said. The Labor Day weekend, spanning a Thursday through Monday, falls squarely in that danger window.

In a brief interview with the press released on September 1, Georgia Highway Patrol Chief Mike Smith warned, “This isn’t just a one‑off holiday spike. Every year we see a steep uptick in DUI stops around major holidays, and the data from this weekend underscores that trend.”

Enforcement Tactics on the Highways

To curb the surge, the Georgia Highway Patrol deployed a mix of classic and modern enforcement strategies:

1. Roadside Breathalyzer Stations – Officers set up temporary breath testing sites along high‑traffic corridors, including I‑75, I‑85, and I‑285. The stations were open from 3 p.m. to midnight.

2. Speed‑Detection Radar – Officers used radar guns to catch speeders who are often the same drivers who get DUI citations. Speeding and impaired driving frequently co‑occur.

3. Fixed‑Camera Enforcement – The state’s 12 counties with the most stops used traffic cameras to detect and ticket drivers who ran red lights while impaired.

4. Community‑Based Outreach – Several county sheriffs’ departments partnered with local bars and breweries to offer free on‑site alcohol tests. When a patron failed the test, they were sent home by the department, or they voluntarily turned themselves in.

The combination of these tactics reportedly resulted in 346 citations and 18 drivers being arrested for felony DUI charges.

Public Reaction and the Call for Safe Travel

While the state agencies applaud the crackdown, public response has been mixed. A local resident in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood wrote to the editor of the Atlanta Journal‑Constitution: “It’s good to see the highway patrol stepping up, but what about the people who need a ride? Maybe more rideshare options for the weekend.”

Meanwhile, the Georgia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board’s spokesperson, Carla Reynolds, said, “We need to keep the message front and center: never drive after drinking. We’ll be running a campaign for the next four weeks, encouraging safe rides.”

The board’s campaign includes a partnership with a rideshare company that offers a “safe‑ride” discount for rides taken during the Labor Day weekend. The discount is redeemable through a QR code placed in every county’s highway patrol traffic‑stop brochures.

Lessons Learned for the Next Holiday

The 346‑citation figure is more than a headline; it’s a signal. The Georgia Department of Transportation’s 2026 “High‑Risk Traffic Periods” report predicts that future holiday weekends will show similar spikes unless state and local agencies increase enforcement visibility.

The GDOT’s director, Maria Perez, emphasized the importance of “early enforcement” and “community partnerships” in future campaigns. “If we’re going to keep our roads safe, we have to start on the front end – before drivers get out of their cars.”

The data suggests that every additional DUI stop reduces the chance of a fatal crash by an estimated 1.3 %. By maintaining aggressive enforcement and community‑based programs, Georgia hopes to turn the tide on impaired driving over the next holiday season.

Source: WRDW News, “At Least 346 GA Drivers Cited for DUI During Labor Day Travel” (September 2, 2025). Followed links to GDOT’s Traffic‑Safety Reports, Georgia Highway Patrol press releases, and the Georgia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board’s campaign website.