Hamilton County, TN - Earlier this morning, Sheriff Austin Garrett and members of the HCSO joined with law enforcement personnel from Georgia and Tennessee to kick off the 8th Annual Operation Southern Slow Down speed enforcement campaign beginning today, July 15th – Sunday, July 21st. Collectively, Operation Southern Slow Down includes law enforcement personnel from across the southern United States including South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida.

During today’s press conference, Representatives from the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discussed the dangers of speeding and how relevant crash data shows faster speeds lead to more crashes on our roads. Troopers with the Georgia State Patrol and Tennessee Highway Patrol discussed the role speed plays in traffic crashes and upcoming joint law enforcement efforts throughout the campaign in hopes of reducing speeding and fatalities.

“The HCSO is committed to public safety which includes a focus on removing dangerous and distracted drivers from our roadways to protect the safety of our citizens. We prefer to accomplish this mission through educational initiatives such as the annual Operation Southern Slow Down Campaign. However, I want to be clear, if we fail to reach you through education, rest assured we will reach you through enforcement measures,” stated Sheriff Austin Garrett.

Please do your part in reducing speed-related injuries and fatalities... Slow down, drive responsibly, and “Arrive Alive.”