Georgia State Patrol's specialized DUI Task Force is receiving a $2.9 million state grant.
On Jan. 2, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) confirmed $2.9 million has been awarded to the Department of Public Safety to continue its DUI Task Force and Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Program.
“A top priority of the Georgia State Patrol Nighthawks DUI Task Force is to deter impaired driving and make our roadways safe. This grant from the GOHS supports our troopers in their efforts to remove impaired drivers from Georgia's roads,” said colonel Chris Wright, DPS commissioner.
The funding comes through the Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (H.E.A.T.) grant. The goal of the grant is to:
- Combat crashes, injuries, and fatalities caused by impaired driving and speeding
- Increase seat belt use
- Educate the motoring public on traffic safety and the dangers of driving under the influence
The $2.9 million in funding went into effect on Oct. 1 and will conclude on Sept. 30, 2023.
The Nighthawks DUI Task Force
The Nighthawks DUI Task Force consists of all Georgia State Patrol troopers in three units:
- North - Serving Fulton, Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, and Gwinnett counties
- Middle - Serving Bibb, Muscogee, and surrounding counties
- South - Serving the Savannah-Statesboro area
The troopers and units have all received specialized training in impaired driving enforcement.
The ALS program
In Georgia, under certain circumstances, the state can administratively suspend the driver’s license and an ALS hearing is held when the motorist contests the suspension.
Through the ALS program, state troopers receive training, legal assistance, and in some cases, legal representation as they testify at ALS hearings for people charged with driving under the influence
For more information, click here.
