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The Labor Day holiday weekend typically sees an increase of traffic on the roads. 

The Georgia State Patrol has a plan to keep drivers and passengers safe.  The police, state troopers, and just about all law enforcement agencies with responsibility for the roads are taking extra steps this weekend to ensure the safety of Albany’s roads.

Georgia State Patrol has ramped up how many officers are working this weekend in efforts to minimize traffic accidents and injuries.  "We’re expecting a high volume of traffic during the holiday weekend so we're going to put more troopers on the road ways to make them safe for everybody" says Cpl. Scott McClure.

You may see troopers this weekend in areas they normally don’t patrol.

"We’re focusing more on problem areas where we’ve had complaints from citizens, speed areas, residential neighborhoods, and back ways people night not normally see a trooper.  We may surprise you this weekend" says McClure.

While troopers prepare themselves for the holiday weekend Albany residents are taking safety precautions as well.

Francis Dudley says she'll obey all rules of the road.  "I’m just going to drive the speed limit and make sure that everybody is safe in my car.  Seat belts have to be on" says Dudley.

State patrol says its important for people to drive safe and obey all laws in order to minimize accidents and they’re looking for any and all violators.

"Drunk driving – we’re going to be looking for those hard and heavy like we always do. Seat belts and child restraint violations are big too" says McClure.

The Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia Department of Transportation predict more than 1,500 traffic crashes, more than 900 injuries, and 18 deaths for this holiday weekend.

Albany resident Rodney Rector is going away this weekend with his family and says he hopes people use common sense.  "My hope is that people will drive responsibly  and be really careful because there will be a lot of people driving this weekend and we want to see a safe weekend of driving" says Rector.

State troopers have one message for anyone hitting the road this weekend.  "Slow down, buckle up, pay attention, get off the phone.  Be cautious of other drivers.  You may think you’re the perfect driver…you may be…but its that other guy or lady out there that’s not paying attention, under the influence, or in a hurry to get somewhere that may end up causing a wreck" says McClure.

The holiday travel period officially began at 6 pm Friday night and lasts through midnight Monday September 7^th.