Georgia State Patrol watching out for impaired drivers on holiday patrols
ATLANTA—Georgia State Troopers and officers with the Motor Carrier Compliance Division of the Georgia Department of Public Safety are preparing for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend with a focus on impaired drivers and seat belt violations. The 78 hour Memorial Day holiday travel period begins at 6 p.m. this Friday and ends at midnight on Memorial Day.
Colonel Mark W. McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said troopers and MCCD officers will be patrolling in an effort to keep holiday crash statistics as low as possible. “Troopers and Motor Carrier Compliance officers will be conducting roadchecks, high visibility patrols, and concentrated patrols across the state during the holiday period,” he said.
Use caution as you travel this holiday weekend. “Traffic will be heavy as graduation ceremonies, festivals and vacation travelers will add to the normal weekend traffic,” said Colonel McDonough.
During the 2013 Memorial Day weekend, state troopers investigated 650 crashes that resulted in 366 injuries, and six fatalities. In addition to the traffic crash investigations last year, troopers arrested 310 people for driving under the influence while issuing 9,288 citations and 15,328 warnings.
The Georgia State Patrol encourages everyone who will be traveling to always use their seat belt and take the time to make sure children are properly restrained. “This is also All American Buckle-Up Week across the nation. Now through Memorial Day, state highway patrols and state police agencies from across the United States and Canada are joining together to educate the public on the importance of wearing seat belts while traveling in motor vehicles,” Colonel McDonough said. “This is also an opportunity for everyone who will be traveling to make an extra effort to make sure seat belts are used by everyone in the vehicle,” the commissioner added.
All American Buckle-Up Week is an educational program of Operation C.A.R.E., or Combined Accident Reduction Effort. The Memorial Day holiday weekend is also an Operation C.A.R.E. holiday period. C.A.R.E. is sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police for state law enforcement agencies across the United States and Canada. The goal of the campaign is to reduce traffic deaths through high visibility enforcement and education. This year is the program’s 37th anniversary.
The highest number of traffic deaths on Georgia roads during the Memorial Day holiday weekend occurred in 2005 when 32 people were killed in traffic crashes. The lowest number was recorded in 2010 when 5 people were killed.
Florida Governor Urges Summer Safety In Advance Of Memorial Day Weekend
TALLAHASSEE, FLa. – Governor Rick Scott reminds families, ahead of Memorial Day weekend—the unofficial start of summer—to take the necessary steps to ensure safety and good health throughout the entire season.
Governor Scott said, “Summertime is meant for spending time with family and friends, and for enjoying the outdoor opportunities our beautiful state has to offer. I urge all Floridians to take extra safety precautions so they can enjoy time with their loved ones.”
Water Safety
There should always be a responsible adult present when a child is in or around water. Distractions such as cell phone use or lengthy conversations should be avoided as drowning can occur in minutes. In Florida, drowning is one of the leading causes of death among children under the age of five.
“Water safety is everyone’s responsibility,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “Protect Florida’s children by designating an adult to watch them while they are in the water, by placing a gate or other barrier between the home and pool, and by being ready to perform CPR in case of an emergency.”
Next week, the Department of Children and Families and Department of Health will be launching a new drowning prevention initiative at a press conference in Tampa. The new campaign will focus on engaging community partners in an effort to educate and prevent drowning. For more water safety tips visit: WaterProofFL.com.
Selecting a Caregiver
DCF launched the “Who’s Really Watching Your Child?” campaign targeted toward parents who need childcare, but may know little about their selected caregiver.
In partnership with more than 30 statewide agencies and organizations, the campaign provides parenting programs, child careinitiatives, pediatrician support, and child protective investigator, case worker and child care provider training. For more information and resources, visit: MyFLFamilies.com/WhosWatching.
“During the summer months, working parents may face difficult decisions regarding childcare,” Interim DCF Secretary Mike Carroll said. “This campaign provides free resources and support for parents who need help finding safe, stable childcare that is right for the specific needs of their child.”
For more tips on child safety during the summer months, visit: www.MyFLFamilies.com/Summer-Safety.
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