Operation Southern Slow Down officially starts across 5 states, including GA and SC

PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. (WTOC) - Agencies throughout the southeast joined together on Monday to stop speeding drivers for this year’s “Operation Southern Slow Down.”

It’s now in its 9th year since the initiative launched.

More than 490 law enforcement agencies across Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee are participating in the initiative that runs from Monday, July 13, through Saturday, July 19.

Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Law Enforcement Coordinator Powell Harrelson said, “This is not about going out and writing tickets. This is about getting the motoring public to slow down. We want to stress that.”

Officers are focused on speeding, aggressive driving, impaired and distracted driving, and seat belt violations.

Georgia State Patrol Captain J.K. Crews said the dangers of speeding are clear.

“No matter how eager you are to get to your destination, speeding and driving aggressively is dangerous,” Crews said.

During last year’s campaign, authorities issued more than 52,000 citations and warnings and made 1,400 DUI arrests.

According to officials at Monday’s press conference, 112 people died on South Carolina roadways between Memorial Day and Labor Day last year. Speeding was a contributing factor in 9,600 collisions during that same time frame.

Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie said his office receives about two calls per day regarding reckless driving.

“We’ve even had people shot on traffic, just, where they get mad, aggressive driving and stop and get into an argument, in a fight, and shoot somebody,” McDuffie said.

South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Gil Owens said, “We ask every driver to do their part.”

Lt. Christopher Wooten, with the S.C. Highway Patrol, added, “As always, we hope our presence with activated blue lights will stop or deter these dangerous behaviors, but law enforcement can not do it alone. At some point, the responsibility falls on those behind the wheel.”