Atlanta's fight against drunk driving and aggressive traffic just got a hefty boost, courtesy of a nearly $90k grant awarded to the local police department. The Atlanta Police Department has snagged a substantial sum of $89,426.56 from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, as part of their ongoing campaign to halt DUI-related incidents dead in their tracks. This H.E.A.T. grant, designed to target specifically aggressive driving and impaired driving prevention, is one of 24 distributed across Georgia law enforcement agencies for the 2024 fiscal year, as reported by the Atlanta Police Department.
With this financial influx, the Atlanta Police Department's H.E.A.T. Unit's game plan is to tackle the root causes of local traffic collisions — aggressive driving and driving under the influence topping the list. As the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety director, Allen Poole, puts it, the state is gunning for zero traffic deaths. They're pushing for motorists to not only buckle up but also to ditch the distractions, keep the speed in check, and to avoid driving when anything has impaired their capacity to do so safely. “We can ask everyone to help our state and nation reach zero traffic deaths by driving safe speeds, always wearing a seat belt, keeping the focus on the road and not the phone, and never operating a vehicle under the influence of any substance that impairs your ability to drive.” said Poole in a statement obtained by the Atlanta Police Department.
The H.E.A.T. program, aside from padding the pockets of the police for better equipment and training, is also a proactive measure in communities plagued by high rates of traffic incidences. This strategic grant distribution is based on an analysis of areas suffering the most from crashes, injuries, and aforementioned traffic-related fatalities. Chief Schierbaum of the Atlanta Police Department, stated "In receiving the H.E.A.T. grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the Atlanta Police Department is proud to lead the charge in promoting safer roads and reducing the impact of aggressive driving behaviors. This $89,426.56 award empowers our H.E.A.T. Unit to implement targeted strategies, combat impaired driving, and enhance overall traffic safety. Together, with our community, we strive to achieve zero traffic deaths by advocating responsible driving habits, emphasizing seatbelt use, and raising awareness about the dangers of DUI. We are grateful for this opportunity to make a lasting impact on road safety in Atlanta."
Notably, the Atlanta Police Department plans to unite with other law enforcement in the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" DUI campaign and the "Click It or Ticket" seatbelt initiative. They will engage in year-round patrols, and set up checkpoints and road checks in collaboration with the GOHS. For drivers interested in learning more about the H.E.A.T. program or the various safety campaigns, they can check out details at www.gahighwaysafety.org or reach out by calling 404-656-6996.
