News 12 at 11, August 25, 2008

Augusta, Ga. -- Deputies say it's sober or slammer, you drink, you drive, you loose.
And you can expect an increased number of officers out this weekend looking for impaired drivers. By combining forces, they hope the number of crashes and fatalities will be reduced. Officers met at the Richmond County Training Center this evening and prepared for a busy week on the road. For six days leading up to the Labor Day travel weekend, the Georgia State Patrol and local police and sheriff's deputies will participate in the 17th annual "Hands Across the Border". Deputies say impaired driving laws will be strictly enforced from state-to-state. It's an effort to save lives during the deadly holiday travel weekend.

"Listen, we're not playing around. We want to send a strong message out. If you drink and drive or you drive impaired, you got a good chance of going to jail because of efforts like this," Lt. Tim Pearson said.

"We anticipate we'll probably make the same number of arrests we usually do, probably a few more. We'll make fewer if the public is aware, and take actions like calling a cab or having a designated driver," Sgt. Pete Lamb said.

A sobriety check was scheduled for tonight, but it was canceled because of the rain.