Motorists can expect more Rome police, Floyd County sheriff’s deputies and Georgia State Patrol officers on the roads. Patrols will be heightened, and there will be DUI checkpoints, Rome police Lt. Gary Clayton said.
Police are not releasing the locations of any checkpoints.
“They’ll do a directed patrol in the areas on the main thoroughfare,” Clayton said. “There’ll be a lot of cops on the road.”
Patrols also will focus on intersections with high-wreck rates, the lieutenant said.
Officers won’t limit themselves to only checking for impaired drivers. They’ll also check for proper licensing and seat belts, Clayton said.
“The focus is to keep the public safe,” he added. “This is a fair warning.”
The officers involved in the zero tolerance initiative will focus on the patrols and checkpoints, and have no other duties over the weekend, Clayton said.
Police advise those who intend to drink to plan ahead. Revelers should plan a safe way home before they start imbibing and designate a driver who won’t drink. Anyone who drinks should use a taxi, a designated driver or public transportation.
“If you’re going to drink, don’t drive — bottom line,” Clayton said. “Be safe and don’t get behind the wheel of a car.”
In a release, GSP Commander Bill Hitchens echoed Clayton’s message. Officers won’t hesitate to stop a driver they believe is impaired and arrest them.
“Designating a sober driver before the celebration and making sure friends don’t drive drunk are just two simple steps you can make to avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for driving under the influence,” Hitchens said in his message.
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