Did you know that this week is Operation Southern Shield? It started on July 20 and ends on the 26th. During Operation Southern Shield, law enforcement officers will be working to crack down on motorists in Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina who are engaging in dangerous driving behaviors. This includes driving under the influence, distracted driving, and of course, driving over the speed limit. This is especially important right now – while traffic has dropped due to COVID-19, traffic deaths have not, as more motorists are driving above the speed limit. Although officers will be working hard to reduce traffic accidents this week, you should be aware of what to do if you are in a collision with a speeding motorist. If you are injured in an auto accident due to the careless behavior of another driver, contact the Don Turner Legal Team and see how we can help you.
Although it might be common to see drivers traveling above the speed limit, it’s nothing to take lightly. In 2018, one in five traffic-related fatalities in Georgia was caused by speeding. And according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding is a factor in almost one third of all motor vehicle fatalities in the United States. 9,718 people across the country died in speeding-related collisions in 2018 alone – that is not a number for you to take lightly.
Law enforcement officials in the southeastern United States aren’t taking that number lightly either, especially now, when people are treating the COVID-19 induced drop in traffic as an invitation to put the pedal to the metal. This week, you can expect to see more state troopers, police officers, and deputies enforcing traffic laws across Georgia. The goal is not to write extra traffic tickets but instead to show Georgia motorists that respecting the speed limit, refraining from driving under the influence, and keeping your focus on the road can save lives. It works too – in 2019, Operation Southern Shield led to a 29 percent drop in the number of traffic deaths.