New $67K highway safety grant to boost traffic enforcement in Chatham County

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office will soon have more tools to crack down on dangerous driving thanks to a new state highway safety grant.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has awarded the agency a $67,760 High Visibility Enforcement grant, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Officials said money is intended to help reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities on roads across Chatham County and the state of Georgia.

CCSO stated High Visibility Enforcement combines highly visible, traffic patrols with public outreach and education campaigns. They said strategy targets unlawful and dangerous driving behaviors that contribute to serious and deadly wrecks, like impaired driving, speeding and seat belt violations.

“Crash data shows enforcement and education of traffic laws are two of most effective countermeasures to help our state and nation reduce crashes and eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our roads,” said Allen Poole, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Sheriff Richard S. Coleman said the grant will help pay for new equipment and extra enforcement hours focused on traffic safety.

“We are grateful to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for their partnership and look forward to working alongside them for the safety of all motorists throughout Chatham County and the great state of Georgia,” Sheriff Coleman said. “This High Visibility Grant will allow us to enhance traffic safety efforts across our community by providing new equipment and funding additional enforcement hours. Our goal is to reduce accidents, save lives and ensure safer roadways for everyone in Chatham County.”

As part of the grant, the Sheriff’s Office will continue taking part in statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” DUI enforcement and “Click It or Ticket” seat belt campaigns. Deputies said they will also participate in year-round waves of high visibility patrols and multi-jurisdictional sobriety checkpoints coordinated with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

The grant will run through September 2027. For more information on GOHS and its highway safety programs, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org.