Georgia Law Enforcement Step Up DUI Crackdown ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - On average, about a third of fatal crashes involve alcohol. But during the July 4th holiday period, alcohol is involved in about half of all fatal wrecks.

To combat that, police are conducting a DUI dragnet called "Operation Zero Tolerance."

"We're going to step up our enforcement so hopefully the public will change its behavior and not make the decision to drink and drive."

That's Bob Dallas, head of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. He says aside from obvious drunk drivers, officers are looking for speeders and those not wearing a seatbelt.

"If you have somebody who is making the decision to drink and drive, they're engaging in risks that are unreasonable. It's not unlikely they'll be speeding or not wearing their safety belt."

A blood alcohol level of .08 means a trip to jail, but Dallas says officers can arrest impaired drivers who are under that limit.

The crackdown ends July 5th.

Jim Burress, WABE news.
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