Sheriff Austin Garrett and members of the HCSO joined with law enforcement personnel from Georgia and Tennessee earlier this morning to kick-off the 9th Annual Operation Southern Slow Down speed enforcement campaign beginning today through this Sunday.
Collectively, Operation Southern Slow Down includes law enforcement personnel from across the southern United States, including South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida.
During today’s press conference, Sheriff Garrett, representatives from the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office discussed the dangers of speeding and how relevant crash data shows faster speeds lead to more crashes on our roads.
Troopers with the Georgia State Patrol and Tennessee Highway Patrol discussed the role speed plays in traffic crashes and upcoming joint law enforcement efforts throughout the campaign in hopes of reducing speeding and fatalities.
“The HCSO is committed to public safety which includes a focus on removing dangerous and distracted drivers from our roadways to protect the safety of the citizens we serve. We prefer to accomplish this mission through educational initiatives such as the annual Operation Southern Slow Down Campaign. However, I want to be clear, if we can’t reach you through education, you can rest assured we will reach you through enforcement,” said Sheriff Garrett.
"As our most important partner, please do your part to support this initiative and help reduce speed-related injuries and fatalities... slow down, drive responsibly and 'Arrive Alive,'” officials said.