PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. (WSAV) – State and nearby law enforcement are tackling traffic violations this St. Patrick’s Day weekend in “Operation Thunder.” The multi-agency assignment pressure combines the efforts of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, H.E.A.T. Gadgets, the Port Wentworth Police Department, the Pooler Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol to keep impaired and distracted drivers off the roads. So far on Thursday, the government has issued 70 citations and taken two impaired drivers into custody, in accordance with Roger Hayes, Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Law Enforcement Services Director. “We are enthusiastic about every person coming to Savannah for St Patrick’s Day weekend.
We want all and sundry to revel in the festivities, but do not press your good fortune,” warned Hayes. The attempt is an extension of Port Wentworth’s annual “Operation Lucky Charms.” It’s a ten-12 twelve-month-old software that specializes in crime at some stage during the holiday weekend. But even after a decade, police say some nonetheless have not learned their lesson. “We will see the identical violators year after 12 months with the same infraction,” said Major Lee Sherrod of the Port Wentworth Police Department. “They go lower back year after year to court docket to the extent our judges understand them from the 12 months previous operation.” Last year’s operation ended with 716 citations, 35 drug arrests, and 36 DUI cases, turning a fun vacation into an expensive one for a few. “You could have legal professional charges, you may have a night in jail,” said Sherrod, adding, “Historically, it is known as a $10,000 night time out.”
Authorities say their intention isn’t to rack up tickets — but to hold everyone secure. “You don’t want to put in writing one ticket if you could help it,” Sherrod stated. “It’s about setting out to zero, but they may not let us do that.” Drivers can expect to look for extra regulation enforcement on the street in Chatham County from Thursday to Saturday, keeping an eye out for people texting and riding, or maybe riding below the have an impact on. “Please know that our message is apparent. If you decide to drink and drive, you will visit the prison,” Hayes said, reminding drivers to “live sober, secure and alert.” For folks that may be traveling from out of the metropolis, the government wants to remind you about Georgia’s Hands-Free Law. This calls for drivers to put the telephone down and use the hands-free feature to use cell phones or GPS. Authorities are also urging drivers to have a plan to get home safely on St. Patrick’s Day. From rideshare offerings to calling a pal, there is no excuse to be power-impaired: