GDOT and RCSO warn the public to heed traffic laws ahead of “100 Deadliest Days”

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – After multiple deadly crashes in recent weeks, law enforcement and the Georgia Department of Transportation are urging the public to obey traffic laws as we head into the summer.

The hotter months are just around the corner, which means the roads are about to get even busier.

But law enforcement is warning the public after seeing an uptick in traffic violations. 

“The one thing I’ve noticed a lot in Richmond County and in Columbia County when I’m driving is that people do not like slowing down at yellow lights,” said RCSO Captain Mike Lewis. “People do not like slowing down at yellow lights. When the light turns yellow, that doesn’t mean speed up to make it through the intersection.”

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has responded to 3 deadly crashes just in the last 2 weeks—including one on Peach Orchard Road that killed 8-year-old Camden Poole.

The Georgia Department of Transportation says the summertime also brings a higher chance of crashes in work zones.

“We have a lot more road construction and highway maintenance happening in the summer months, so our crews are out on the roads more often, and you have greater chance of work zone crashes as a result of that,” said District 2 Communications Specialist Will Volk.

Data from GDOT shows nearly 100 deadly crashes happened across the CSRA last year alone.

The more common causes are following too close and failing to yield—that’s why they and law enforcement are sharing important tips so you can stay safe. 

“Avoid distracted driving, put the cell phone down—that’s a big one. Taking your eyes off the road even for a few seconds can cause someone to suddenly break. If you don’t see that, you can rear-end somebody,” Volk said.

“Green light means go, yellow light means slow down, and red means stop. If more people did that, it would cut down a lot on our vehicle accidents, and especially would cut down on our fatalities as well,” said Lewis.

Volk added, “Most crashes are preventable. So, when you’re behind the wheel and you’re thinking about doing these dangerous driving behaviors, just think. These kinds of things can send somebody to the hospital, or could send somebody to the funeral home. Are you okay with that? Make sure you ask yourself that question before you do these things.”

Law enforcement says it’s also a critical time to follow the rules of the road, as the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers starts in less than 2 weeks.