Life jackets and seatbelts: Georgia officials urging safety ahead of holiday
Safety checks on Lake Lanier
Georgia game wardens conducted safety checks on Lake Lanier on Wednesday ahead of the busy Memorial Day weekend. They were reminding people about life jackets and the dangers of drinking and boating.
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. - As Memorial Day weekend approaches and thousands of Georgians prepare to hit the water, state officials are issuing a strong message: make safety your top priority.
What we know:
Law enforcement agencies, including Georgia game wardens and the Georgia State Patrol, are ramping up enforcement on lakes and roadways to prevent tragedies during one of the busiest weekends of the year. FOX 5's Tyler Fingert joined game wardens on patrol at Lake Lanier, where officers were already conducting safety checks.
Game wardens will be out in full force on Lake Lanier and other state waterways, checking that boaters have all required safety gear—including life jackets and registration documents. They’ll also be enforcing boating laws, such as the 100-foot idling rule near shorelines and the 200-foot wakeboarding restriction.
RELATED: Staffing shortages force closures at Lake Lanier, other SE recreation areas
By the numbers:
According to newly released data, 27 people have drowned in Georgia’s lakes, rivers, and waterways so far this year, with two drowning deaths reported just this week. Last year, 20 people were killed in boating accidents. In 2025, there have already been five reported boating incidents. 259 people were arrested for boating under the influence in 2024.
"We're here to make sure that everybody is boating safely and that our main enforcement is going to be for boating under the influence," said Georgia Game Warden Adam Kimbrough.
RELATED: Lake Lanier missing kayaker: Body found Friday confirmed as missing kayaker
One official described the coming weekend on Lake Lanier as "like I-285 at rush hour"—a vivid reminder that high traffic and warm weather can create dangerous conditions if people don’t follow the rules.
The push for safety extends beyond the water. Georgia State Patrol troopers will also be out in increased numbers looking for seatbelt violations, distracted driving, speeding, and DUI offenses. Authorities warn there will be zero tolerance for impaired or reckless behavior, whether on the road or the water.
Last year, troopers investigated over 500 crashes. Data shows more than a dozen people were killed over the holiday weekend. They say they also made more than 500 DUI arrests.
"Traffic laws aren't a suggestion, they're there to protect you, your family, and everyone else on the road," said Lt. Colonel Kendrick Lowe, the Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
Their message is clear: gear up, buckle up, and above all, stay safe this Memorial Day weekend.