As the last big holiday weekend of the summer gets underway, police across the Coastal Empire will be ramping up patrols on Savannah area streets and highways.
“We’ll have police out all weekend, but obviously if you’re out drinking and driving, we’ll be looking for that,” said Savannah-Chatham police Lt. Greg Mitchell, commander of the department’s traffic unit.
Friday night will see multiple law enforcement agencies join together with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for the Hands Across the Border operation. That operation will focus on motorists entering and exiting South Carolina.
Police will set up a road check to look out for impaired motorists, seatbelt and safety seat violations, suspended licenses and other things, said Georgia State Patrol Sgt. B.J. Kennedy.
“This is before Labor Day weekend,” Kennedy said. “We’re just trying to keep the public safe.”
The Hands Across the Border event marks the end of Operation Thunder, a Governor’s Office of Highway Safety-led initiative invited to Chatham County by metro police that had been targeting impaired and aggressive motorists over the past three months.
“On Saturday we’ll have people out patrolling, looking for DUIs and keeping the highways safe due to increased traffic,” Mitchell said.
The lieutenant also said he wanted to advise motorists, especially those who plan to travel, to make sure their vehicles are road-worthy before driving.
Police also will be out in force in Effingham County.
“We’ll be beefing up patrols on county roads and interstates,” said David Ehsanipoor, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman. “Traffic Enforcement will be working alongside Georgia State Patrol targeting impaired and aggressive drivers.”
In Pooler, near the airport and home to several hotels, city police will be upping traffic enforcement and looking for drunken drivers throughout the weekend, said Chief Mark Revenew.
At the airport, officials expect a busy weekend.
Spokeswoman Lori Lynah said flights are likely to be full and travelers should arrive at least 90 minutes early.
It’ll be all hands on deck on Tybee Island, too.
“All officers are going to be working throughout the weekend,” said Police Chief Bob Bryson, adding part-time officers will be out as well. “Everybody extra that can work, we have them working.”
Police on the island will be looking for drunken drivers and safety violations on the beach.
“Make sure you lock your doors and secure your belongings and don’t leave your things unsecured on the beach,” Bryson said. “And please don’t drink and drive.”
TOW TO GO
Tow to Go will be operating in the Savannah area Friday through Monday. The free service offers a confidential local ride within a 10-mile radius to a safe location.
It is available to both AAA members and nonmembers.
The AAA service vehicle transports the driver and their car.
Call 855-2-TOW-2-GO or 855-286-9246 for the service