Every year around Thanksgiving and Christmas, Georgia highways become pressure cookers of traffic and patrol units. The roads get crowded. Everyone’s either rushing to dinner or running late for church or maybe dashing out for one last errand before guests arrive. But while families are loading up the car with gifts and pies, state troopers are loading up citation books.
And they are not bluffing.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, over the 2025 Thanksgiving holiday travel period alone, there were 498 crashes statewide. Those crashes injured 236 people. Even worse, at least 14 lives were lost during those five days. The Georgia Department of Public Safety also confirmed hundreds of traffic-related arrests for things like DUI.
So what can you do to stay out of trouble this holiday season?
Watch Out On Georgia Highways For A Spike In Speed Traps
The holiday season in Georgia means more than just packed roads and extra brake lights. It means speed traps, lots of them. Troopers and local police departments ramp up patrols on major routes like I-75, I-20, and I-85, especially around high traffic days like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after. You might think you are just keeping up with the flow of traffic but that will not stop radar guns from lighting you up. Officers are trained to spot aggressive lane changers or vehicles going just a little too fast past that hidden patrol car tucked behind an exit ramp. Don’t gamble with your license just to shave off ten minutes.
DUI Enforcement Increases As Holiday Festivities Ramp Up
The numbers speak for themselves: 422 DUI arrests across Georgia during Thanksgiving 2025 alone. That is not a fluke. With more parties, office happy hours, and family gatherings, it is no surprise that some people end up driving after a few drinks. But law enforcement knows this too. DUI checkpoints pop up with zero warning, and patrols actively look for swerving drivers after dark. And yes, you can be arrested even if you are barely over the legal limit. The cost is brutal: fines, jail, license suspension, and mandatory classes. Not to mention the danger to yourself and others. Plan a ride. Stay where you are. Anything but driving buzzed.
Double Check The Vehicle If You Borrow Auntie’s Old Car
You might trust your auntie with the best mac and cheese recipe in the state but that old sedan she lends out every Christmas might be a legal landmine. Before you hit the road in any borrowed car check the basics. Are the brake lights working Are the tires bald Is the registration up to date Georgia troopers will pull you over for something as simple as a busted taillight and once they have you stopped they will look for more. Missing insurance papers expired plates even broken wipers can get you cited. Save yourself the trouble and take five minutes to check that everything is in order before heading out.
Seat Belt Violations Rise As More Hit The Road
It is wild how many people still treat seat belts like an option. During the recent Thanksgiving travel period officers issued more than 800 seat belt citations across Georgia. That is just during one holiday stretch. Whether you are heading to grandma’s house or crossing the state line the rule is simple — click it. Georgia law requires all passengers to wear seat belts and officers are trained to spot drivers who skip it. And do not think you can fool them with a quick shoulder lean when passing a cop car. If your belt is not clicked before the wheels move you are risking a ticket or worse.
Citations For Distracted Driving Hit Holiday Highs
Georgia drivers got the message the hard way this Thanksgiving 2025 — distracted driving will absolutely get you pulled over. According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety a total of 680 citations were issued for distracted driving during the holiday travel period alone. That is not a few unlucky folks getting caught texting at a red light. That is a clear sign officers are watching closely especially on busy routes like I20 and I75 where one distracted driver can trigger a multi car crash. Whether it is scrolling through social media using GPS without a mount or just taking your eyes off the road to reach for snacks any lapse in focus can lead to a ticket or worse. The law is strict for a reason and this holiday season Georgia troopers proved they are not looking the other way.
How To Handle A Holiday Traffic Ticket
As the holidays wrap up, you want to make sure a traffic citation doesn’t turn your festive memories sour. The team at The Ticket Clinic Georgia is ready for the spike in Georgia traffic enforcement, we’ve helped drivers across the state navigate speeding tickets, DUI charges, distracted‑driving citations, seatbelt violations and more.
If you find yourself handed a ticket this season don’t panic. Instead, reach out to us for a free consultation. We know how to examine the evidence, challenge faulty citations, and work toward reducing or dismissing charges so your record.
Call us at 1‑800‑248‑2846 or text your ticket image to 305-305 to get started. Let us take on the stress so you can focus on celebrating the holidays without a traffic ticket looming over you.
