A weekend traffic task force operation in Hall County, sponsored by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), ended with more than 200 motorists cited for speeding or distracted driving and nearly four dozen drivers charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The Thunder Task Force began Thursday, July 14, and ended Sunday morning, July 17. GOHS coordinates Thunder events across Georgia in an effort to curb illegal driving behaviors that lead to serious injury or fatality crashes.
In Hall County, safety checkpoints were set up during the weekend on Price Road, John Morrow Parkway, Browns Bridge Road, Athens Highway, McEver Road and Limestone Parkway. Concentrated patrols were conducted along other heavily-traveled corridors throughout the task force operation.
Hall County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Todd Casper says the three-day event was a team operation.
“The Hall County Sheriff’s Office is thankful for the supporting law enforcement agencies that made the Thunder Task Force a success. That includes the Georgia State Patrol, the Gainesville Police Department, the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia H.E.A.T. (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) teams and our sponsor, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety
Citations and warnings issued during Thunder Task Force (July 14-17):
- Speed citations – 142
- Speed warnings – 28
- Distracted driving – 76
- DUI – 47
- Seat belt citations – 80
- Seat belt warnings – 19
- Child seat citations – 47
- Reckless driving – 1
- Uninsured motorists – 6
- Suspended license – 7
- Other citations (e.g., driving without headlights, open container, no license on person) – 198
- Other warnings – 115
Arrests:
- Drug arrests – 16
- Other felony arrests (e.g., possession of stolen property, attempting to elude, fleeing) – 8
Lt. Caspar also extends his thanks to the local businesses that supported the effort. “Most of all, we would like to thank the citizens of Hall County and the traveling public for your understanding, patience, and support during this event.”
For more on the history of the Thunder Task Force, visit the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety website.
