The Georgia Department of Public Safety announced Friday the activity totals for the week-long concentrated patrols with four other Southeastern states in the “Take Back Our Highways” program.  

DPS Commissioner Col. Bill Hitchens said the enforcement totals covered the period from July 25 through the end of patrols on July 31.

During the seven-day period, Georgia state troopers arrested 267 people on charges of driving under the influence as well as apprehending 44 wanted persons across the state. Troopers also recovered seven stolen vehicles and arrested 127 people for driving on a suspended or revoked license. Additional activity included 2,162 speeding citations, 828 seat belt citations, 148 child restraint citations, and 64 citations to uninsured motorists.

Hitchens said officers with the Department’s Motor Carrier Compliance Division conducted 1,814 inspections of commercial motor vehicles across the state for the week as well as 170 hazardous materials cargo inspections.

“Take Back Our Highways” is a program of the Alabama Department of Public Safety to increase driver awareness through education of the dangers drivers face from risky driving behaviors and enforcement of traffic laws. State traffic law enforcement agencies in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Mississippi also participated in the campaign.

Hitchens said the campaign helped promote safe driving throughout the five-state area.  

“No matter where you traveled during the week, the high visibility patrols reminded motorists to exercise caution when operating motor vehicles,” he said.  “The bottom line is preventing traffic crashes and saving lives.”

The enforcement campaign was conducted as the summer travel season moves into the final weeks.