Law enforcement agencies across parts of the Southeast will be participating in Operation Southern Slowdown July 17 to 23.
Many agencies in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida and Tennessee will be taking part in this operation.
The goal of this operation is to save lives and reduce deadly traffic fatalities during one of the busiest times on the road during the year.
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The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office is one participant in the annual operation.
“We all have a great partnership with our surrounding agencies, outside Aiken County as well as all within Aiken County,” said Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Eric Abdullah. “It is a coordinated effort to try and reduce traffic fatalities and try to bring some education to the public about driving safer.”
According to South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there have been 496 fatal crashes and around 536 people this year so far have been killed in traffic fatalities in South Carolina.
Abdullah says this operation is a good reminder for people on the roads and causes them to be more cautious. He also said he has seen success in the past with this operation.
“During the summer months, most everybody is out of school or going on vacation and highways and roads are heavily traveled,” Abdullah said. “I have some seen some success because people are being more attentive. Every now and then you have to have those reminders to get people to realize you’re not the only ones on the road and everybody is out sharing the road together.”
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While many counties are not taking part in the operation, they will still be looking out for speeders in the area.
“As of now, we are not actively participating in the operation, but we will mirror some of the aspects of the operation and we fully support it,” Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. William McCarty said.
This Operation was previously called Operation Southern Shield and did show success in the past.
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the number of traffic deaths in Georgia during the week of the 2017 Southern Shield Operation was 35 percent lower than the other three weeks in July.
Chris Rickerson is a staff reporter covering Columbia County government and general assignment topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at chris@theaugustapress.com.
