Gov. Nathan Deal announced Thursday that the Department of Public Safety will hire 60 new commercial vehicle enforcement officers over the next year to improve highway safety and help reduce big rig accidents.
Deal made the announcement during a press conference at a weigh station on Interstate 16 near Ellabelle, GA. Tractor-trailers caused a pair of crashes on I-16 that killed 10 people in April and May of this year.
“As Georgia’s population and its economy continue to grow, we must adapt to meet the needs of a vibrant state,” Deal said. “While an expansion of the Savannah Harbor means jobs for Georgians and a boost to our economy, it will also mean an increase in commercial vehicle traffic. The safety of our drivers and the effective transportation of goods are of critical importance. This investment is a significant step forward in meeting these goals.”
There are currently 234 commercial vehicle enforcement officers serving in 10 regions. Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mark McDonough says, “This initiative will bring the staffing levels of our Motor Carrier Compliance division to 100 percent.” The additional officers will patrol areas identified by the Department of Public Safety as “high crash corridors.” These areas include I-16 and I-95, as well as the Atlanta metro area, and the area south of Atlanta along I-85.
