ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — The Fourth of July holiday travel period is underway, and thousands of South Georgians are spending time on the road this weekend.

State officials say holiday weekends often bring an increase in speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving and crashes, and are warning drivers to stay cautious.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety lists the best and worst times to travel by car this weekend after the AAA projects more than 61.4 million travelers.

>> Previous Coverage Arrive alive: best and worst times to travel during the 4th of July travel period <<

During last year’s Independence Day holiday period, Georgia State Patrol troopers and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers made nearly 500 DUI arrests and investigated approximately 320 traffic crashes. Those crashes left 10 people dead and about 200 others injured. Local law enforcement agencies investigated five additional traffic fatalities statewide.

You can find more details regarding their findings here.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety is urging drivers to wear seat belts, obey speed limits, avoid distracted driving and never drive impaired.

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