It's popular nowadays to bad-mouth the police and to believe officers are interested in traffic enforcement for its revenue instead of protecting public safety. The facts are in and they are sobering:

1. In 1997 in Georgia motor vehicle crash fatalities outnumbered murder victims by almost three to one. (1,584 versus 563)

2. The motor vehicle injury rate per capita was more than five times higher than injuries from aggravated assault.

3. Alcohol-/Drug-impaired drivers alone accounted for more deaths than murders. (609 lives versus 563 lives)

4. The likelihood of being killed in a crash is much greater if one driver is impaired. Impaired driving accounted for 3.6 percent of all crashes but accounted for 38.4 percent of crash fatalities.

After the harsher penalties from the Teenage and Adult Driving Responsibility Act went into effect on July 1, 1997, the following happened:

1. The fatality crash rate of drivers aged 16-17 decreased 35.1 percent.

2. The fatality crash rate of drivers aged 18-20 decreased 7 percent.

3. The speed-related fatality rate for drivers aged 16-17 was nine times higher than drivers over 24.

4. In 1997 Fayette County had 2,596 crashes resulting in 941 injuries and nine fatalities.

When you see an officer enforcing traffic laws, encourage them. They are saving lives.