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Stay safe and seen: Georgia DOT’s Halloween travel forecast and safety tips

Posted on by Vaseline

Traffic hotspots: highways:

  • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM 1-285 west at GA 400 AND I-285 south (counterclockwise) at I-20 west
  • 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM typical travel times with moderate traffic

Surface Streets:

  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Buckhead
  • 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Northwest Atlanta, Buckhead, Northeast Atlanta, Downtown, West Atlanta
  • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Northwest Atlanta, Buckhead, Northeast Atlanta, Downtown, West Atlanta
  • 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Northeast Atlanta, East Atlanta

Additional street traffic forecast
To further assist travelers, Georgia DOT has identified metro Atlanta’s major streets and their expected traffic patterns during peak Halloween periods:

  • Northside Dr./Cobb Pkwy & Peachtree Pkwy: Heavier than normal traffic expected between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m
  • Roswell Street: Expect to experience better than normal traffic flow from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Jimmy Carter Blvd/Holcomb Bridge Rd: Normal conditions expected from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with heavier than normal traffic from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
  • Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy/Veterans Memorial Hwy and Northside Dr./Metropolitan Pkwy: Normal from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, heavier than normal from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
  • Ponce De Leon Ave: Expected current better than normal from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Morelandlaan: Improved flow expected from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with normal circumstances from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
  • Memorial Dr.: Heavier than normal traffic expected from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., with normal circumstances from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Tara Blvd: Expect to experience normal traffic from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Tips for a safe Halloween:
For drivers:

  • Slow down and watch for pedestrians, especially in residential areas.
  • Keep your focus on the road and your surroundings by eliminating distractions.
  • For those who have been drinking or planning to drink; designate sober drivers and walking buddies and be prepared to call a taxi or rideshare service to get home safely.

For pedestrians:

  • Use a flashlight when walking at night.
  • Always walk on a sidewalk if one is available.
  • See and be seen. Make sure drivers see you and stop before walking in front of a vehicle.
  • Children who are outside at night and under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult.
  • Children should stick to familiar areas that are well lit 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 lights and zebra crossings.
  • Don’t let friends or family walk alone after drinking. Poor walking can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence.

Use 511GA as an aid

  • Plan – Expect more traffic on your usual route on Halloween night. Use the 511GA app to explore alternative routes.
  • Keep an eye on traffic incidents – Halloween night, like any other night, can experience several traffic incidents. Stay informed about local traffic issues with the 511GA app. The service is active 24/7. Call 511 for roadside assistance and additional travel information. If you require roadside assistance, remain in your car with your seat belt fastened until help arrives.
  • Activate Drive Mode – the ‘do not disturb’ feature on your phone to help drivers stay focused while navigating nights with heavy pedestrian traffic. Avoid distractions and ensure safe driving by eliminating phone use.

Georgia DOT’s SEE & BE SEEN campaign emphasizes shared responsibility between motorists and pedestrians. Walkers and drivers are urged to pay close attention so that everyone can have a safe Halloween. For more information, please visit the official Georgia DOT website, www.dot.ga.gov.

Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs, and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We are involved in bridge, waterway, mass transit, rail, general aviation, bicycle and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. The ministry’s vision is to increase Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation.