Georgia Launching Operation Zero Tolerance Campaign

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – With the 4th of July coming up in a few days, Georgia’s Office of Highway Safety is teaming up with state departments to crack down on drivers and boaters who drink and get behind the wheel.

The new effort is called Operation Zero Tolerance.

In the past two years, Georgia averaged 88 alcohol related accidents on the road during the July 4th holiday.

A spike in boating accidents last summer led officials to lower the blood alcohol content for boaters to be the same as drivers.

Law enforcement’s goal is to reduce drunk driving on the road and the lake.

When middle Georgians head out on the road or to the beach this Independence Day they’ll be ready to celebrate.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is teaming up with the Department of Natural Resourcs to enforce “Operation Zero Tolerance.

According to a news release, alcohol related crashes me up 23 percent of traffic deaths. Statistically on any given weekend one out of every ten drivers is under the influence.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mark McDonough says getting behind the wheel of a car is a huge responsibility.

“It is a quality of life issue when you get behind the wheels of a car, it is unacceptable for a person drinking to get behind the wheel of car,” McDonough said.

This holiday season thousands of Georgia families are coming to beaches just like this one to get a little bit of sand and some sun. Since so many accident happened last year involving boaters and alcohol, Georgia law officials are doing something about it.

“There should be no confusion, the same that’s expected of you on the roadway is the same that’s expected of you on the waterway,” McDonough said.

The B.A.C. level for boaters is the same as drivers in Georgia.

0.08.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are on our waterways or our roadways, plan you’re event, no drinking and driving, have that designated driver even if you’re on the waterway,” McDonough said.

Operation Zero Tolerance started on June 21 and will continue until July 7.

Officers across the state will be stepping up patrols to try and decrease the number of traffic and boating deaths, all in efforts of keeping the public safe.

McDonough says he wants people to stay aware this holiday season.