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Page 2A, The Lee County Ledger, Wednesday, August 28,2019 Motorists Reminded To Not Take a Holiday From Sober Driving This Labor Day Law enforcement statewide looking to take drunk drivers off the road and into jail Special to the Ledger Every year, Georgia launches the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over impaired driving enforcement campaign leading up to Labor Day in order to get drunk drivers off the road for a safer end-of-summer holiday weekend. This year, Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over also coincides with the 28th annual campaign of Hands Across the Bor der, which includes state and local law enforce ment in Georgia, Ala bama, Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida working simultaneous ly to take drunk and drugged drivers off the roads, as well as issue citations for distracted driving, speeding, being unbuckled (including car seats) and other traf fic violations in an effort to make roads even safer for Labor Day. Hands Across the Bor der kicks off Monday, August 26, 2019 and throughout the week, officers, troopers and deputies in communi ties near Georgia’s state lines will conduct joint road checks in their respective states. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, a nationwide en forcement program, will add an extra emphasis of reducing impaired driving crashes, injuries and fatalities. “We are fortunate to have neighbors who are as committed as we are in Georgia to saving lives on our roads and that they are always ready to work with us during the year on other projects that promote save driving,” Gover nor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Allen Poole said. “This sends a message to every driver in the southeast to slow down, buckle up, and drive sober and alert before the Labor Day holiday travel period.” Hands Across the Bor der started in 1991 as a friendly wager between the Georgia State Patrol and Florida Highway Patrol to see which agency could limit the number of alcohol-re lated traffic deaths in their state during the Labor Day travel period. Within ten years, the effort grew to all states bordering Georgia hold ing joint road checks at their state lines on the week before Labor Day with the goal of taking impaired drivers off the roads prior to the final summer holiday travel period of the year. “Our ultimate goal at any time of year is to get dangerous drivers off the roads and help reduce traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities,” GOHS Law Enforcement Services Director Roger Hayes said. “But with a major travel weekend coming up and so many warm weather vacation destinations across the southeast, we want ev eryone to make sure they drive sober, put down their phones, slow down and that everyone in their vehicle is properly buckled up.” One of the reasons for campaigns like Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Hands Across the Border is because traffic fatalities across the southeast are still far too high. Georgia, for example, experienced 1,540 traffic fatalities in 2017 and prelimi nary numbers from the Georgia Department of Transportation currently show 1,514 traffic fatali ties for Georgia in 2018. That’s only a slight de crease from 1,556 deaths in 2016. Alcohol-related fatalities are similarly down to 366 from 384 and speed-related fatali ties to 248 from 266 for the same time frame. While all three catego ries represent a decrease, just one traffic fatality is still too many. “We will be partnering with our state line neigh bors in communities along the South Caroli na, Florida and Tennes see boarders for road LeePride 261 Walnut Avs. Downtown Leesburg 759-6200 JOHNNY BROWN Septic Solutions 229-869-5087 24 Hour Service Pumping, Repair & New Installation Licensed & Insured • 30 Years In Lee Co. 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Lee County Fire and Emergency Services responded to Lee County Fire and Emergency Services responded to 99 calls during the week of Au gust 18 - 24, 2019. EMS Responses EMS responded to one call for abdominal pain/ problems. EMS responded to one call for allergic reaction/ stings. EMS responded to seven calls for breathing problem. EMS responded to six calls for chest pain (non-traumatic). EMS responded to one call for convulsions/ seizure. EMS responded to three calls for diabetic problem. EMS responded to four calls for falls. EMS responded to nine calls for fire stand by. EMS responded to one call for headache. EMS responded to one calls for heat/cold exposure. EMS responded to three calls for psychi atric problem/abnormal behavior/suicide attempt. EMS responded to eight calls for sick per son. EMS responded to five calls for stroke/CVA. EMS responded to six calls for traffic/transpor tation incidents. EMS responded to three calls for transfer/ interfacility/palliative care. EMS responded to three calls for traumatic injury. EMS responded to one call for unconscious/ fainting/near fainting. EMS responded to one call for unknown cause/ person down. EMS made 64 re sponses for the week. Fire Responses Fire department re sponded to two struc ture fires. Fire department re sponded to two activat ed alarms. Fire department re sponded to one vehicle fire. Fire department responded to six MVC calls. Fire department responded to 17 calls to assist EMS. Fire department re sponded to two miscel- Georgia Power is hiring lineworkers, and South Georgia Techni cal College offers the training candidates need to take advantage of this outstanding opportu nity. Students who are interested in this career can attend South Geor gia Technical College for eight weeks and have the opportunity for the career of a life-time. South Georgia Tech also has on-campus housing available. A lineworker for Geor gia Power can expect ex cellent pay and benefits. An apprentice linework er can earn over $40,000 a year (plus overtime) to start. There are advance ment opportunities with 99 Calls laneous calls. Fire department re sponded to one call that was cancelled while in route. Fire department responded to one trash fire call.. Fire department re sponded to one call for smoke detector prob lems. Fire department re sponded to two public education events. Fire department responded to 35 calls during the week. Lee County Fire and Emergency Services responded to 99 calls during the week of Au gust 18 - 24, 2019. Journeyman Linework ers starting at over $78,000 (plus overtime) and Crew Leaders earn ing over $85,000 (plus overtime). Georgia Pow er also offers health and wellness programs and a well-defined career path with excellent opportu nities for advancement in an inclusive environ ment. South Georgia Techni cal College’s eight week Electrical Lineworker training program is held on the Americus Cam pus. This program is de signed to teach students the skills they need to begin their careers quickly with Georgia Power and other partner utility companies. Georgia Power Hiring Lineworkers; SGTC Offers Training Submitted Photos The Lee County Elementary School Food Service staff wrote an ap“peel”ing message on each and every banana for National Banana Day!