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 paintings of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety H.E.A.T. Gadgets, Port Wentworth Police Department, Pooler Police Department and the Georgia State Patrol are to keep impaired and distracted drivers off of the roads. So far on Thursday, government have issued 70 citations and taken two impaired drivers into custody, in accordance to 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 months-old software that specializes in crime at some stage in the holiday weekend. But even after a decade, police say some nonetheless have not found out 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 yr after yr to court docket to the factor our judges understand them from the 12 months previous operation.” Last yr’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 been known as a $10,000 night time out.”
Authorities say their intention isn’t to rack up tickets — however 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 extra regulation enforcement on the street in Chatham County from Thursday to Saturday, keeping an eye fixed out for humans texting and riding or maybe riding below the have an impact on. “Please know that our message is apparent. If you make a decision to drink and drive, you will visit prison,” Hayes said, reminding drivers to “live sober, secure and alert.” For folks that may be traveling from out of metropolis, government want to remind you about Georgia’s Hands-Free Law. This calls for drivers to put the telephone down and use hands-loose era to use cell phones or GPS. Authorities also are urging drivers to have a plan to get home adequately on St. Patrick’s Day. From rideshare offerings to calling a pal, there is no excuse to power impaired: