Police on high alert for speeding drivers during Operation Southern Slow Down | Local news

To combat aggressive driving, Georgia and Tennessee state law enforcement agencies launched the 8th annual Operation Southern Slow Down in Ringgold Monday morning.

The week-long initiative brings together law enforcement agencies from five different states to combat speeding and aggressive driving.

“From July 15 to July 21, police officers in your communities in the four-state region will be on heightened alert to detect speeding vehicles,” said Carmen Hayes, RRegional Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Police officers from the states of Georgia and Tennessee met with local police forces to spread the common message that speeding endangers your life and the lives of others.

“In fact, 12,151 people died from speeding in 2022. Speeding accounts for more than a quarter of all traffic deaths nationwide,” Hayes said.

Hayes received support from law enforcement leaders who added that their goal is not to hand out tickets, but they recognize that a fine reminds people to slow down.

“Just recently, during the Independence Day travel period, a period of 102 hours, there were 18 deaths in the state of Georgia, many of them due to excessive speed,” said Captain Michael Burns of the Georgia State Patrol.

“As of July 11, there have been 586 fatal traffic crashes in the state of Tennessee so far this year. 16% of those were speed-related, 5% involved some type of distraction, and 26% involved some type of impairment,” said Captain Patrick Turner of the Tennessee Highway Safety Patrol.

Captain Turner went on to say that these are not just frightening statistics, but the lives of real people with families and loved ones.

Tuner says police will also be on the lookout for drunk or inattentive drivers and asks the public to do their part.

“If you observe reckless or speeding drivers, you can call Star THP (*847) and a patrol officer will come to the area to resolve the situation,” said Captain Turner.

Remember, safe driving is not just a personal choice, it’s a community responsibility. So buckle up, stay alert, and let’s make our highways safer for everyone.