In an effort to reduce DUI and distracted driving-related deaths, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety awarded Atlanta police with a $332,970 grant.
The Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic, or H.E.AT., grant will help Atlanta police create a three-officer task force that will help reduce fatal and serious injury crashes caused by impaired or distracted driving, speeding and seat belt violations.
Atlanta police said 18 fatal car crashes involved an impaired driver so far this year.
“We are still waiting on toxicology results for over half of the 60 total fatalities that have occurred which we anticipate will come this month and likely increase that number,” Atlanta police Officer Anthony W. Grant said in an emailed statement.
Statewide, there were 375 alcohol-related fatalities in 2018, according to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
Atlanta police will also buy three H.E.A.T. vehicles for the task force to use to patrol areas that have a high volume of fatal and serious injuries.
The task force will also participate in local and state traffic safety campaigns, such as Click-It of Ticket and Operation Zero Tolerance.
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