The Georgia

State Patrol is predicting that 15 people will die in automobile accidents

over the Christmas holiday period.

Last year,

during the same amount of time over Christmas holidays, 10 people died

in traffic wrecks. The most ever recorded was 36 deaths in 1971 while

the fewest deaths, five, were reported in 1982.

GSP Col. George

Ellis urged motorists to exercise extreme caution since both holiday periods

extend across weekends when more fatalities are traditionally recorded.

"Traditionally,

holiday periods that include Friday and Saturday nights result in a higher

number of traffic fatalities," he said. "The bottom line in

almost all of the traffic deaths during a holiday period will be either

speed, alcohol or failing to use safety equipment or a combination of

the contributing factors."

Troopers will

be looking for intoxicated drivers during the holidays through concentrated

patrols and road checks.

"Troopers

will also be checking for seat belt violations and making sure children

are properly restrained," Ellis said.