Slow Down to Save a Life: Southeast Crackdown Targets Speeding Deaths
By Carol A. Moore /
LANIER COUNTY, Georgia – Drivers across the Southeast are being urged to pump the brakes this week as law enforcement agencies in five states crack down on speeding during the annual Operation Southern Slow Down campaign.
Now in its ninth year, the high-visibility traffic enforcement initiative runs July 14–20 and includes coordinated efforts from law enforcement agencies in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The campaign aims to reduce speeding-related crashes and deaths through a mix of enforcement and education.
A joint press conference was held Monday morning at Augusta’s 5th Street Freedom Bridge, where representatives from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Georgia State Patrol, and South Carolina Highway Patrol emphasized the risks of excessive speed and the campaign’s impact.
“Speeding remains one of the deadliest behaviors on our roads,” said Allen Poole, director of the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “We want to save lives, not write tickets, but we will take enforcement action to make our roads safer.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding-related deaths in Georgia jumped nearly 35 percent over the past five years. In 2023, Georgia recorded 349 fatalities in crashes involving at least one speeding driver—up from 260 deaths in 2019.
Region-wide, the five participating states reported 1,604 speeding-related fatalities in 2023, a 13 percent increase from the 1,418 deaths recorded in 2019. Data show that one in five traffic deaths in the Southeast during the past five years involved speeding.
During last year’s campaign, Georgia law enforcement issued 12,544 citations and warnings, including 8,900 for speeding, 446 DUI arrests, and 1,231 citations for distracted driving.
Authorities are reminding drivers to share the road responsibly and to take precautions when encountering aggressive drivers. Safety recommendations from NHTSA include:
- Keep a safe distance from speeding vehicles
- Allow tailgating drivers to pass
- Use the left lane only for passing
- Always wear a seat belt
Officials say enforcement zones will be active throughout the week, including rural roads and urban corridors known for high-speed crashes.
Drivers can expect to see increased patrols, radar monitoring, and checkpoints throughout the campaign.
“Lives are on the line,” Poole said. “This isn’t about citations—it’s about protecting our communities.”
For more information, visit the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety at gahighwaysafety.org.
