Pubdate: Thu, 06 Nov 2008
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2008 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Contact: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/letters/sendletter.html
Website: http://www.ajc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Author: Andria Simmons, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DROP WITH PRESENCE OF DRUG TASK FORCE

Gwinnett County police say there has been a marked decrease in traffic 
collisions since its Highway Interdiction Team --- primarily focused on 
nabbing drug traffickers --- began patrolling the interstates early this year.

There were 500 fewer accidents on I-85 and I-985 during the six-month 
period from March 1 to Oct. 1, compared to the same time frame last year, 
said Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl. David Schiralli. The number of 
accidents dropped from 1,905 in 2007 to 1,434 in 2008. That is about two 
fewer accidents every day, Schiralli said.

"It appears that the high visibility of patrols is making an impact on the 
drivers along the interstate," Schiralli said. "The mere presence of an 
active law enforcement unit such as H.I.T. is influencing driver behavior 
without interfering with the criminal interdiction mission." Gwinnett 
police believe the department's DUI Task Force, which lately has been 
concentrating its efforts on the interstates, also is contributing to the 
decrease in motor vehicle accidents.

The Highway Interdiction Team was formed earlier this year to intercept 
drugs and other criminal activity on the interstates.

Since February, six officers on the team have seized more than $12 million 
worth of drugs and arrested more than 60 people on a variety of charges, 
said supervisor Sgt. Jim Price.

The H.I.T. targets aggressive drivers and equipment violations more often 
than speeders. However, people are slowing down and driving more carefully 
when they see the patrol cars, Price said.

"We may sit in the same spot for 30, 40, 50 minutes before we stop 
somebody, but everybody going by sees the police," said Price. "We noticed 
immediately the reduction in the accidents when we started getting out, 
especially on the two-lane portion north of I-985. We're out here, 
everybody knows we're out here and they're driving more cautiously."
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D