VALDOSTA — Troopers investigated 106 traffic crashes that resulted in 54 injuries and one fatality during December.

GSP Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Tabb with Post 31 said troopers stopped 1,165 vehicles resulting in 663 citations, 16 DUI arrests, 62 seatbelt-violation citations, 16 child-restraint-violation citations, 287 speeding citations and 29 distracted-driving citations.

Troopers also issued 1,265 warnings during December.

Post 31 covers Lowndes, Echols, Brooks and Lanier counties.

In a Georgia State Patrol release, Tabb encouraged motorists to use their seat belts every time they get in a car no matter the distance driven. 

By state law, all occupants in the front seat must be restrained. Occupants 18 and older are not required by law to wear seat belts in the back seat but it is strongly encouraged, Tabb said.  

Everyone younger than the age of 18 must be properly restrained, those 8 and younger must be in a child restraint. Child restraints must be appropriate for the size and age of the child. 

Newborns to 12-month-olds must be in the rear-facing child restraints, 1- to 3-year-olds must be in a forward-facing child restraint, 4 to 8-year-olds must be in a booster seat and children 12 and younger should be in the back seat. 

Tabb said the best practice is to keep children in the rear-facing seat until they outgrow the weight and height limit set forth by the car seat manufacturer then move to the forward-facing child restraint until it is outgrown. 

“If you have questions about the proper application or installation of a child restraint, stop by or call the Valdosta State Patrol Post and a trooper will be glad to assist,” Tabb said.

Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256