Heavy Traffic Delays Expected This Weekend In GA

There will be heavy traffic delays this weekend in Georgia due to Halloween festivities, Daylight Saving Time and construction across the state, transportation officials recently warned.

Halloween is Saturday, and the Georgia Department of Transportation alerted drivers to expected delays that could last up to 45 minutes in some areas.

GDOT's forecast spans from Wednesday through Sunday. This comes as Daylight Saving Time will end, causing Georgians to set their clocks back 1 hour at 2 a.m. Sunday.

"This means there will be less sunlight, reducing visibility and causing changing light conditions during key driving periods," GDOT said in a news release.

At least 80 percent of pedestrian deaths happen during times of low-light or during overnight hours, while almost 95 percent of such fatalities occur outside a crosswalk, GDOT said, citing data from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

"Georgia DOT reminds all motorists and pedestrians that safety is a shared responsibility," the state agency said.

The following events are expected to raise traffic in metro Atlanta:

• Fright Fest – Six Flags Over Georgia
• Pumpkin Festival – Stone Mountain Park
• Haunted Seas – Georgia Aquarium
• Scarecrows in the Garden Exhibit – Atlanta Botanical Garden
• Netherworld – Stone Mountain
• Fear Fest – Underground Atlanta
• The Great Fall Festival – The Battery
• Trick or Treat – Children’s Museum of Atlanta
• The Ghastly Dreadfuls – The Center for Puppetry Arts
• Little 5 Points Halloween Festival and Parade
• Spookwood Festival - Historic Fourth Ward Park

The Halloween festivities, coupled with constant construction and temporary lane closures in some areas, will increase traffic on interstates and roads across metro Atlanta, according to GDOT.

Officials asked drivers to be alert and followed signs surrounding construction zones.

Here is the interstate traffic forecast for this weekend:

• Wednesday and Thursday: Afternoon congestion is expected between 3-7 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: Heavy traffic is expected from noon to 8 p.m. due to Halloween festivities. Drivers should plan for an additional 30-45 minutes of travel time.
• Sunday: Light traffic is expected throughout the day.

Here is the surface street traffic forecast for this weekend:

• Northside Drive/Cobb Parkway: Heavy traffic from 2-4 p.m., normal traffic from 4-5 p.m., improving traffic from 5-7 p.m.
• Peachtree Parkway: Heavy traffic from 2-5 p.m., improving from 5-8 p.m. and normal from 8-9 p.m.
• Roswell Road: Improving traffic from 2-3 p.m., heavy from 3-5 p.m., improving again from 5-9 p.m., and normal from 8-9 p.m.
• Jimmy Carter Boulevard/Holcomb Bridge Road: Heavy traffic from 2-3 p.m., improving from 3-8 p.m., and normal from 8-9 p.m.
• Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway/ Veterans Memorial Highway: Heavy traffic from 2-6 p.m., improving from 6-8 p.m., and normal from 8-9 p.m.
• Northside Drive/Metropolitan Parkway: Improving traffic from 2-8 p.m., and normal from 8-9 p.m. Be mindful of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena, where traffic may be heavier.
• Ponce de Leon Avenue: Improving traffic from 2-4 p.m., normal from 4-5 p.m., and improving again from 5-9 p.m.
• Moreland Avenue: Improving traffic from 2-9 p.m.
• Memorial Drive: Improving traffic from 2-3 p.m., normal from 3-4 p.m., and improving again from 4-9 p.m.
• Tara Boulevard: Normal from 2-6 p.m., and heavy traffic from 6-9 p.m

GDOT asks drivers to plan their routes, check traffic incidents, call 511 for roadside assistance and be alert to road closures.

The department also offered the following safety tips:

Best Practices for Drivers

• Maintain a safe speed – Reduce your speed as you enter residential areas and neighborhoods to ensure the safety of trick or treaters and other pedestrians.
• Avoid distractions – Distracted driving is dangerous anytime of the year, especially during Halloween.
• Refrain from impaired driving – Halloween night is a fun time for all. However, remember to enjoy yourself responsibly or designate a sober driver. Driving impaired endangers your life and others.
• Remain alert – Trick-or-treaters don’t always use the crosswalk on Halloween night. Remain vigilant in areas with busy pedestrian traffic.
• Yield the right-of-way – Always yield to pedestrians, even if they are not at a designated crosswalk.
• Be patient – Foot traffic during Halloween can become frustrating. Remain patient and give yourself extra time if you encounter areas with vehicle/foot traffic that’s heavier than usual.

Best Practices for Pedestrians

• Use a flashlight while walking at night.
• Always use a sidewalk if available.
• See and Be Seen. Make sure drivers see you and stop before walking in front of a vehicle.
• Children under the age of 13 should have adult supervision.
• Children should stick to familiar, well-lit areas and trick-or-treat in groups.
• Decorate costumes with reflective tape and have children carry glow sticks or flashlights.
• Always cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as driving impaired. Don't let friends or family walk alone after drinking.