GSP Prepares for Hands Across the Border

August 23, 2004                                                                   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             

(404) 624-7597

(ATLANTA)—The Georgia State Patrol will again be encouraging motorists to slow down, buckle up, and don’t drink and drive during the upcoming “Hands Across the Border” safety education events with law enforcement officers from neighboring states.  The events are planned during the week of August 30th in an effort to encourage safe travel during the Labor Day holiday travel period.

            Colonel George Ellis, GSP Commander, said troopers will attend each of the planned educational events in partnership with officers from surrounding states.  “This is an excellent way for law enforcement officers to show their support for safe travel, especially with one of the heavier-traveled holiday periods rapidly approaching,” he said.

            Troopers from Georgia will be joining other area law enforcement officers and meeting with law enforcement officers from a neighboring state for a news conference at a location on the Georgia side of the State Line.  Following the news conference, officers will distribute safety brochures and materials at the Welcome Centers.  The same series of events will then be repeated in the neighboring states when officers travel to the neighboring states and join their law enforcement officers at a news conference and educational effort.   The night before each “Hands Across the Border” event, law enforcement officers will be conducting sobriety checkpoints. 

            “This is the 13th year the Georgia State Patrol has participated in “Hands Across the Border,” Colonel Ellis said.  “Each year these events are a valuable resource for troopers, police officers and sheriffs’ deputies to exchange safety ideas, all with a goal in mind to save lives.”

              The schedule for “Hands Across the Border” is:

Monday, August 30 – I-185 in Columbus and I-95 in Savannah

Tuesday, August 31 – I-20 in Augusta

Wednesday, September 1 – U.S. 319 in Tallahassee/Thomasville and U.S. 441 at the Georgia/North Carolina Line

Thursday, September 2 – I-75 in LakePark and I-75 at the TennesseeWelcomeCenter

Friday, September 3 – I-95 at FloridaWelcomeCenter and I-20 at the AlabamaState Line

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