Coming to Gilmer, Pickens & Cherokee Counties

MEDIA ADVISORY For more information: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jim Shuler, GOHS Public Affairs 404-656-6996 or 888-420-0767 AUGUST 26, 2005

SUMMER HEAT ADVISORY: “NOT-SO-SWEET SIXTEEN” CORRIDOR CRACKDOWN COMING TO GILMER, PICKENS & CHEROKEE COUNTIES WHAT: A Summer HEAT Concentrated Speed Enforcement on one of Georgia’s “high crash severity roadways.” WHEN: HEAT Enforcement Friday, August 26 from 4PM - 8PM WHERE: Summer HEAT Speed Crackdown on (Blue Ridge Drive) GA Hwy 5 in Gilmer, Pickens and Cherokee Counties. WHAT: HEAT News Conference kicks-off at 3PM at the old Wal-Mart parking lot in East Ellijay GA (see details below) WHY: Because speed is involved in even more deaths than alcohol. WHO: Officers from the (ATTEN) Appalachian Trail Traffic Enforcement Network mobilizing this “Not-So-Sweet Sixteen” Speed Crackdown.

THE “NOT-SO-SWEET SIXTEEN” HIGH CRASH SEVERITY CORRIDORS To prevent increasing traffic deaths from becoming a growing trend in Georgia, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Department of Transportation have identified high-crash-severity roadways in each of the sixteen Regions of the statewide GOHS Traffic Enforcement Network. Based on the overall severity of crashes occurring on these roads, Georgia’s highway safety partners have labeled enforcement efforts on these sixteen traffic arteries as the “Not-So-Sweet Sixteen” High Crash Severity Corridors. Throughout the year, and especially during the 100 Days of Summer HEAT, GOHS encourages coordinated law enforcement efforts to stop speeders, safety belt violators and impaired drivers on these sixteen High Crash Severity Corridors in Georgia. The Appalachian Trail Traffic Enforcement Network (ATTEN) includes police, sheriff’s deputies and State Troopers from Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Cherokee, Towns, Lumpkin, and Union Counties.

News Media Invited/Interviews & Ride-Alongs Planned Reporters and photographers are invited to meet at 3PM at the Mobilization Command Post at the old Wal-Mart parking lot in East Ellijay (located next to the Burger King) on GA HWY 515 in Gilmer County. After the news conference, one-on-one interviews will be available with the Georgia State Patrol, participating Sheriff’s agencies, and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Reporter ride-alongs by arrangement with the Georgia State Patrol. Enforcement action follows news conference at 4PM.

Governor’s Office of Highway Safety 34 Peachtree Street—Suite 1600—One Park Tower—Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Visit us on the web at www.georgiahighwaysafety.org Sonny Perdue, Governor Robert F. Dallas, Director Local Law Enforcement Media Contact: Sgt. Eddie Gilmore Ellijay Police Department 706- 635-7430

Governor’s Office of Highway Safety 34 Peachtree Street—Suite 1600—One Park Tower—Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Visit us on the web at www.georgiahighwaysafety.org Sonny Perdue, Governor Robert F. Dallas, Director