Georgia State Patrol reports 2025 enforcement totals for Troup County, cites distracted driving and speeding

Sergeant First Class Michael Nolan, post commander for Georgia State Patrol Post 2, told the Troup County Board of Commissioners that his post handled roadway operations across roughly 920 square miles covering Troup and Harris counties and that troopers logged significant traffic enforcement activity in 2025.

"In 2025, we stopped approximately 11,227 cars, here in Troup County alone," Nolan said, then listed related figures: 5,488 traffic citations, 6,291 traffic warnings, 158 DUI investigations and about 1,191 crashes, including 10 fatal crashes with 13 fatal victims. He told commissioners those numbers reflect both enforcement and a rise in risky behaviors.

Nolan warned that speeding, distracted driving and inconsistent seat‑belt use are driving many crashes. "Along with speed detection, we're seeing a lot of fatality victims from distracted driving," he said, adding that staffing limits mean troopers are pulled in many directions and cannot dedicate officers solely to speed enforcement.

Commissioners asked whether speeding was getting worse; Nolan said cultural expectations about how much over the posted limit is acceptable have made enforcement more difficult. He offered to coordinate local details and invited commissioners to contact the post when they want troopers in specific areas. The post covers both Interstate 85 and Interstate 185 corridors through the county, Nolan noted.

Why it matters: the figures provide a data point commissioners can use when weighing traffic safety investments, enforcement requests or grant applications for roadway safety programs. Nolan emphasized education, targeted enforcement and partnerships with county staff as the primary methods available to reduce crashes.