Operation Wrong Exit in Twiggs County aims to reduce traffic deaths over St. Patrick’s Weekend

"Our main point here is to save lives," Twiggs County Sheriff Darren Mitchum said.

TWIGGS COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Operation Wrong Exit in Twiggs County aims to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities over St. Patrick’s Weekend.

This operation, which has been in place for two decades, focuses on saving lives.

“Our main point here is to save lives,” Twiggs County Sheriff Darren Mitchum said.

The sheriff acknowledges that the impact of this initiative stretches beyond Twiggs County, benefiting all communities along the interstate.

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the state recorded more than 374,000 crashes and more than 1,600 fatal accidents in 2023.

Sheriff Mitchum says arrests during Operation Wrong Exit typically involve impaired drivers, drug possession and individuals with suspended licenses. Cpt. Lee Smith with the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office says law enforcement has noticed an increase in drug-impaired driving, particularly cannabis. In response, the sheriff’s office has implemented a plan during this operation to combat drug-impaired driving.

“We’ve brought out drug recognition experts who are highly trained in drug impairment,” he said. “We have four of them assigned to this road check who are going to do nothing but screen drivers who show signs of drug impairment.”

The sheriff’s office will conduct this operation until midnight Friday and will resume enforcement Saturday from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.