It is Time to Remind the Motoring Public Drunk Driving is not Tolerated in Georgia
Roger Hayes Division Director / GOHS
When it comes to drinking and driving , there is no such thing as a “ new normal .” Each year , alcohol is a factor in approximately one out of four traffic deaths in Georgia . So far this year , several hundred people have been killed in crashes caused by drunk drivers . Two of these deaths were law enforcement officers , both of who were killed while on-duty . Hearing that someone we know has been killed in a drunk driving crash , especially a law enforcement officer , leaves us angry and frustrated because each of these deaths were avoidable . They only occurred after a selfish individual decided to drive after drinking .
The State has already experienced some increases from people working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic . In addition , the ‘ to-go ’ sell of beer and wine by some restaurants has the potential to lead to more impaired drivers being on the road . With the upcoming holiday season there will be an increase in the number of people who choose to drive after consuming alcoholic beverages . The only way to prevent drunk driving crashes is to keep those who are too impaired off the street . One of the best approaches to achieve this goal is for law enforcement officers to be on the road taking those who don ’ t heed our message to jail . Hopefully , this increased focus on enforcement will encourage others to not get behind the wheel while intoxicated .
While recent court rulings have made it more difficult to make DUI arrests , it is important for officers to know that each arrest makes our roads safer . No officer knows just how many lives they may save with a DUI arrest but taking an impaired
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