Law Officers come together to crack down on impaired driving - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Law Officers come together to crack down on impaired driving

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By Lydia Jennings - bio | email

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LOWNDES COUNTY, GA (WALB) -

With Labor Day weekend almost here, law enforcement agencies statewide are standing together to crack down on drunk drivers.

Law Officers from Florida and Georgia met in Lowndes County today to kickoff their Hands Across the Border campaign.

They vow to get dangerous drivers off the roads.

Along with your swimsuits, beer coolers, and labor day pride, law enforcement officials say you better have a designated driver too.

"We're just out to make the motor and public be aware that we're going to be out there in full force, and if you drink you're going to go to jail. We just want everyone to be safe and help bring the fatalities down," said Powell Harrelson with the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

Dozens of officers from Georgia and Florida gathered for the 21st annual handshake to signify their partnership as they kick off the Hands Across the Border campaign with the message that impaired driving this holiday weekend will not be tolerated.

The Georgia State Patrol hopes this weekend's celebration will bring fewer fatalities.

Last year in Georgia there were over 400 car accidents, 313 injuries, and four deaths, just over Labor Day weekend.

The Valdosta GSP post has been recognized as the post of the year for it's impaired driver enforcement. Last year on average Valdosta GSP officers made more than 44 DUI arrests per month.

"It continues to show that DUI is still a significant problem in our area and state troopers and local law enforcement agencies will be taking very aggressive enforcement action against impaired drivers this weekend," said Lt. Ronald Warren, GSP Assistant Troop H Commander.

The Lowndes County Sheriff says you can expect to see more deputies than usual patrolling the streets.

"We're going to concentrate on DUI arrests, seat belts, and speeding, and of course we'll be doing this across the state of Georgia," said Sheriff Chris Prine.  

Officers say Labor Day is the last party weekend of the summer and they just want everyone to be safe.

The campaign will continue through Friday with law enforcement agencies also meeting near the borders with Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina to shake hands and renew their commitment to combat impaired driving.

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