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Road checks coming Friday

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

Fayette County Sheriff Department’s Traffic Enforcement Division will take to the roads Friday searching for speeders, seat belt offenders and other violators.

Lt. Col. Wayne Hannah, who heads the department, said the department will kick off a series of road checks throughout the county beginning at noon. And their first stop will likely be Ga. Highway 74. Hwys. 54 and 314 and other major roads in the county also will likely top the department’s list of stops.

The department also will likely enforce the overlooked Move-Over law designed to prevent the sheer number of law enforcement officers killed by passing motorists while conducting routine business on the side of the road.

“According to FBI statistics, traffic crashes claim the lives of more police personnel than any other cause of death in the line of duty — including shootings,” officials said. In 2003, 49 officers died in crashes across the country, 13 of whom where struck and killed by passing vehicles as they worked outside their patrol cars.

The Move-Over law adopted in July dictates that drivers move over at least one lane if possible or be prepared to slow down and come to a stop when approaching an emergency vehicle on the side of the road.

Violators of the new law could face a $500 fine per infraction.

Hannah said few people are adhering to the new law. He wants to get the word out about the law because it will prevent injuries and save lives.

“The entire county is a concern,” Hannah said in an earlier interview. “The worst area where there seems to be an issue with cars whizzing by is on Hwy. 74 in Peachtree City.”

This will be the department’s first concentrated series of road checks since the new year began. More license checks will be forthcoming.

“We’re looking at doing it at least once a month concentrated efforts in various parts of the county,” Hannah said in a follow-up interview Tuesday afternoon.

About eight deputies will participate in the effort. Hannah advises motorists to comply with the license checks. In other words, don’t try to turn around.

“It’s not going to be any length of time before they come up to the license checks,” Hannah said. “We do move them through pretty quickly. There’s no need to turn around just because you see the blue lights. That looks suspicious to us because why would you turn around unless you have something to hide.”