Six Southern States Partner to Combat Impaired Driving

Law enforcement officials in six states are launching their 24th annual “Hands Across the Border” campaign aimed at catching motorists driving under the influence.

On Monday, the five-day campaign kicks off involving law enforcement agencies in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida.

Roger Hayes, a director at the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, said in a statement that the campaign has had a history of catching drunk drivers.

“We have been doing this for a long time,” Hayes said. “Unfortunately, the reason we keep doing this campaign is because every year, we catch impaired, unbelted, uninsured and distracted drivers. While we would prefer if these motorists never hit the road, we are committed to taking them off it.”

Police, sheriff’s deputies and state troopers will be setting up checkpoints near their state borders. They will be on the lookout for drug offenders, fugitives, drivers with outstanding warrants and those driving without a license for the six day campaign.

“There are a lot of summer destinations between here and our neighboring states,” GOHS director Harris Blackwood said. “From coastal beaches and lakeside destinations to mountain retreats and even amusement parks, we’ve got a lot to offer. But one thing we don’t offer is leniency when it comes to impaired drivers.”

Authorities note the legal blood alcohol limit in every state is .08.

The “Hands Across the Border” campaign runs concurrent with the nationwide Labor Day impaired driving mobilization, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”