The Daily Citizen, Dalton, GA

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August 7, 2009

State troopers arrest 267 for DUI during "Take Back Our Highways"

Submitted by the Georgia Department of Public Safety

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Public Safety announced today the activity totals from the recent week-long concentrated patrols with four other Southeastern states in the “Take Back Our Highways” program. Colonel Bill Hitchens, DPS Commissioner, said the enforcement totals covered the period from Saturday, July 25 thru the end of patrols on Friday, July 31.

During the seven-day period, Georgia State Troopers arrested 267 people on charges of driving under the influence as well as apprehending 44 wanted persons across the state. Troopers also recovered seven stolen vehicles and arrested 127 people for driving on a suspended or revoked license. Additional activity included 2,162 speeding citations, 828 seat belt citations, 148 child restraint citations, and 64 citations to uninsured motorists.

Colonel Hitchens said officers with the Department’s Motor Carrier Compliance Division conducted 1,814 inspections of commercial motor vehicles across the state for the week as well as 170 hazardous materials cargo inspections.

“Take Back Our Highways” is a program of the Alabama Department of Public Safety to increase driver awareness through enforcement of traffic laws and with education outreach to drivers about the dangers they face from risky driving behaviors. In addition to Georgia State Troopers, state traffic law enforcement agencies in Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and Mississippi participated in the campaign.

Colonel Hitchens said the campaign helped promote safe driving throughout the five-state area. “No matter where you traveled during the week, the high visibility patrols reminded motorists to exercise caution when operating motor vehicles,” he said. “The bottom line is preventing traffic crashes and saving lives.”

The enforcement campaign was conducted as the summer travel season moves into the final weeks.



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