DUI Deaths Over Labor Day Weekend Down More than Fifty Percent Since 2012

The Georgia State Patrol had a busy weekend this Labor Day, although it seems that, overall, Georgia drivers were somewhat safer than they have been in years past.  In total, there were 10 fatality crashes in the state of Georgia over the three-day holiday weekend.  Troopers arrested a total of 251 suspected drunk drivers (note that this reflects only arrests made by Georgia State Patrol, not total DUI arrests statewide).  In 2013, Labor Day weekend resulted in 10 traffic deaths and 283 DUI arrests.  2012 saw 22 traffic fatalities statewide.

In recent years, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety and the Georgia State Patrol have initiated a number of aggressive campaigns designed to target impaired drivers.

This Labor Day, Georgia State Patrol troopers, in cooperation with their counterparts in the states of Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida, operated the 23rd annual “Hands Across the Border” campaign.  This program is designed to target impaired drivers by conducting road safety checkpoints, or DUI roadblocks, along the state lines.  In the past, the program has apprehended not only impaired drivers, but also drivers with outstanding warrants, uninsured and unlicensed drivers, drivers operating vehicles without proper safety restraints or with faulty equipment, or those transporting illegal drugs.

Georgia State Patrol also engaged in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) during this Labor Day holiday weekend.  The purpose of Operation C.A.R.E. is to reduce the number of traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities by, according to Georgia State Patrol, “balancing high-visibility enforcement with educational outreach.”

Georgia is one of many states that adopts a “Zero Tolerance” policy towards impaired drivers.  Georgia's “Operation Zero Tolerance” is part of the national “Drive Sober of Get Pulled Over” campaign.  Although the Georgia State Patrol follows this policy year-round, it places special emphasis on the policy on festive holidays such as Labor Day.  In short, Georgia State Patrol's policy is to arrest impaired drivers and have their vehicles towed.  Georgia State Patrol Troopers typically will not issue warnings.  During holidays, Georgia State Patrol makes heavy use of roadblocks throughout the state in order to target potential impaired drivers.

Anyone arrested for DUI in Georgia will have 30 days to appeal the automatic suspension of his or her driver's license.   Our Georgia DUI Lawyers are available 7 days a week.  Call now for immediate help.