Operation Southern Shield In Force on Georgia Roadways

You might have noticed more law enforcement vehicles on area roads this week and it’s not your imagination.

The third annual Operation Southern Shield kicked off Monday on Georgia roads and runs through Sunday, July 21.

Operation Southern Shield is a campaign involving state and local law enforcement in five Southern states to crack down on speeders.

States participating include Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama.

Police, Sheriff’s deputies and the Georgia State Patrol will be out in force all this week patrolling the Interstates and highways looking for speeding motorists.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, studies show nearly one-third of all fatal traffic accidents in the U.S. are the result of speeding.

Preliminary numbers from the Georgia Department of Transportation show there were 268 speed-related fatalities statewide in 2018, which is an 8% increase from the 248 speeding fatalities the previous year.

The Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley says a number of those fatalities were in Stephens County.

“The goal is to reduce the number of traffic accidents during the summer, holiday and vacationing traveling period by looking for all manners of unsafe driving, with special attention on speeding, impaired driving and distracted driving,” the Sheriff said. “In 2018 we had 10 fatal accidents. In 2019, so far we have had three.”

The Sheriff said there are a number of things motorists can do to make sure they stay safe on the roadways this summer.

“Always be mindful of your speed. Please remember to buckle up. Keep you hands free of distractions. Stay off that cell phone and other mobile devices. Be mindful of road conditions and blindspots. Do not drive if you feel tired or drowsy. Keep a reactionary gap between you and the vehicle you are following,” he said.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration said in 2017, speeding killed 9,717 people in the U.S., accounting for more than a quarter (26%) of all traffic fatalities that year.