VALDOSTA – Local state troopers conducted almost 700 traffic stops and more than 30 crashes with no fatalities over the Christmas and New Year holiday, according to Georgia State Patrol Post 31.

Cpl. Chris Kelch said GSP troopers investigated 14 crashes from Dec. 24 to Dec. 27. Seven people were injured in those incidents.

“Of the 14 crashes, four were caused by drivers failing to maintain their lane of travel, two were caused by drivers following too closely, two were caused by drivers who were under the influence and one was caused by a distracted driver,” Kelch said.

During the same 78-hour period, troopers assisted seven motorists and conducted 361 traffic stops, resulting in 232 warnings and 225 citations: 14 seatbelt citations, 11 child restraint citations, two distracted driving citations, eight driving under the influence citations and one drug arrest.

Although Post 31 did not respond to any incidents involving a fatality, statewide numbers indicate there were nine fatalities in Georgia during the Christmas holiday period.

From Dec. 31 to Jan. 3, Post 31 troopers investigated 19 crashes which injured nine people.

“Of the 19 crashes, 4 were caused by drivers failing to maintain their lane of travel, 2 were caused by drivers following too closely and 5 were caused from animals in the roadway,” Kelch said.

Post 31 troopers also assisted 10 motorists and conducted 361 traffic stops during the 78-hour New Year’s holiday period, resulting in 301 warnings and 228 citations: 132 speeding citations, 16 seatbelt citations, seven child restraint citations, four distracted driving citations, 11 driving under the influence citations and five drug arrests, Kelch said.

Post 31 did not respond to any incidents involving a fatality, statewide numbers indicate 13 fatalities in Georgia during the New Year’s Day holiday period.