Law enforcement agencies across five southern states are mobilizing this week in a coordinated effort to combat impaired driving during the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Officials report drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 face the highest risk during the Labor Day travel period.
In Georgia, the law mandates immediate arrest for drivers with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher, with no warnings or opportunities for alternative transportation.
The 34th annual “Hands Across the Border” campaign brings together officers from Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, and Tennessee to conduct sobriety checkpoints at state borders through Labor Day.
“We don’t want to write tickets. If we don’t write any citations this weekend, it would be a tremendous win. That means everybody is doing what they’re supposed to do,” said Roger Hayes, Director of Law Enforcement Services at the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).
State troopers and local police will position themselves at strategic border checkpoints throughout the region, monitoring for signs of impaired driving.
The initiative, which began in 1991 as a friendly competition between Georgia and Florida law enforcement agencies, has evolved into a comprehensive five-state safety operation.
Transportation officials recommend several key precautions for Labor Day travelers:
- Plan additional travel time to account for increased traffic volume
- Ensure all vehicle occupants use proper restraints
- Pre-program navigation devices and designate a passenger for navigation duties
- Arrange sober transportation when alcohol is part of holiday plans
- Share travel plans with family and friends
For those who find themselves without a safe ride home, AAA’s Tow-to-Go service offers complimentary towing within a 10-mile radius during the holiday weekend.