Newton Citizen

Photo by Jason Braverman

The Georgia State Patrol has joined law enforcement officers from across the United States in a concentrated effort to stop impaired driving. Now through the end of New Year's Day, Georgia state troopers will be conducting concentrated patrols and road checks with local police officers and sheriffs' deputies during the peak hours for impaired driving in Georgia.

Operation Zero Tolerance is Georgia's high visibility impaired driving enforcement program that is coordinated by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety and began Friday. The Georgia program is part of the national mobilization against impaired driving called "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over."

Across the country, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams per deciliter or higher. According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly one-third of fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved a driver or motorcycle operator with a BAC above the legal limit -- an average of one fatality every 48 minutes.

Statistics also reveal the age group with the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes was the 21-to-24 age group.

Law enforcement officers across the country remind drivers that violators convicted of DUI often face jail time or loss of their drivers licenses. Other financial costs include attorney fees, court costs, and lost time at work.

Troopers stress the importance of planning ahead for a sober designated driver if alcohol consumption will be in your holiday plans. Party hosts can also plan for designated drivers, local cabs, or accommodations for party guests as they prepare their holiday festivities.

-- SFC Doug Wilson Jr.

Post Commander

Post 46 -- Monroe

Georgia State Patrol