GA and FL state troopers want to stop drunk driving this football weekend | People

ATLANTA, GA – News release from Governor’s Office of Highway Safety

While Georgia and Florida state troopers may share a passion for their respective teams, they also share a passion for getting drunk drivers off the road.

This year, the Florida Highway Patrol and the Georgia State Patrol have joined forces to send a message to fans of both the University of Florida and University of Georgia:  If you Drink and Drive, we’ll be looking for you in both states.

To reinforce this lifesaving message, Sgt. David Herring of the Georgia State Patrol and Trooper Philip Delgado of the Florida Highway Patrol recently recorded a Public Service Announcement in the shadow of EverBank Field, where the two schools will collide in a football matchup on Saturday.

The PSA can currently be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWFx-k9FAk8.

“He roots for Florida, I root for Georgia,” says Herring, nodding to Delgado in the videotaped spot.  “But when it comes to impaired driving, we’re on the same team,” Delgado responds.

The production of the spot was donated by First Coast News, the ABC and NBC affiliates in Jacksonville. The spot is also scheduled to appear during station programming this week. 

The idea for the spot came from Harris Blackwood, director of the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) and Marianne Trussell, chief safety officer of the Florida Department of Transportation.

For the two state law enforcement agencies, the message is clear that impaired driving is not going to be tolerated on either side of the state line this weekend.

“Removing impaired drivers from our roadways continues to be a top priority for our department,” said Colonel David Brierton Jr, director of the Florida Highway Patrol.

“Our troopers will take appropriate enforcement actions to reduce the violent deaths and injuries caused by drunk drivers.”

Colonel Mark McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, reminds drivers traveling to and from Jacksonville to keep safety as their number one priority. 

“Georgia-Florida weekend is a festive time for both colleges and their fans, but fans must remember to use a sober designated driver if alcohol consumption will be part of the celebrations,” he said.

“Troopers from both states will not hesitate to arrest an impaired driver and tow their vehicle, so plan ahead and be safe.”

While the two states often have worked together in border enforcement campaigns, this is the first time they have jointly reached out to football fans through use of in-stadium media.

“I am excited about this new approach to reducing impaired driving crashes, injuries and fatalities,” said GOHS Director Harris Blackwood. “If we save just one life, then our effort will be worth it.”

For more information about the dangers of drunk driving, visit www.stopimpaireddriving.org or visit the GOHS website at www.gahighwaysafety.org. GOHS Director Harris Blackwood will be in Jacksonville this weekend and available for phone interviews at 404-683-8309.