With the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 race coming to Atlanta Motor Speedway in neighboring Hampton Sunday, local residents should be prepared for heavy traffic as the race ends around 4 p.m., a time that could change if the race is delayed for weather reasons, police advise.
When the race ends on time, the traffic seems to magically disappear between about 9:15 and 9:25 p.m. Sunday, said Capt. Bryan Woodie of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department. But until then, it would be best for Fayette motorists to stay away if they can, he said.
Because some AMS patrons are forced onto Hampton Road to exit the speedway, they don't have a choice but to come into Fayette County and make their way out using Ga. Highway 92.
No matter, Woodie says, this operation has been pulled off so often "we could do it in our sleep."
"We're just trying to make sure people get home safely," he said.
Combine the deputies and Georgia State Troopers who will be handling the traffic detail, and there will be between 15 and 20 law officers in the area, Woodie said.
In addition to the traffic detail, those officers will also handle general calls in the area so regular deputies won't be diverted from their duties elsewhere in the county, Woodie added.
Typically, the officers make some DUI arrests after the race in addition to citing some folks for public indecency, Woodie said.
"It's pretty uneventful," Woodie added.
Easy button Return it to long suffering taxpayers including those who have paid huge tabs to educate other people's kids…