Georgia, South Carolina Law Enforcement Gather in Hartwell for Hands Across the Border

Dozens of law enforcement officers from across North Georgia and the Upstate of South Carolina gathered at Hart County High School Wednesday evening on the last stop of the Hands Across the Border tour.

This is the 33rd annual “Hands Across the Border” drunk and drugged driving prevention and enforcement campaign – designed to create awareness of the dangers of drinking, drugged, or distracted driving, especially on holiday weekends.

Roger Hayes is the Director of Law Enforcement Services for the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

He said Wednesday, the week-long enforcement campaign is a reminder for citizens to not drive impaired this weekend and all year.

Hayes said what started out as a small wager between Georgia and Florida law enforcement has grown over the years to a major successful safety campaign.

Hayes reminds motorists that if you’re caught driving impaired, it’s a straight line to jail and that will cost you more than a weekend of fun.

Also speaking to officers Wednesday was Brent Kelly, Special Programs Manager with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Office of Highway Safety and Justice.

Kelly said since they began the Hands Across the Border campaign in South Carolina the number of traffic deaths there have dropped significantly.

Also on hand Wednesday night was Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland who encouraged the officers to do what they do best – protect and serve citizens.

Over the Labor Day weekend, there will be two groups of Georgia State Patrol troopers conducting sobriety road checks in Georgia near the state line while law enforcement officers from the neighboring states will be conducting sobriety road checks in their state.

Additionally, local law enforcement agencies will also be out in force this weekend looking for impaired drivers.