100 Days of Summer HEAT (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) began May 21 and concludes Sept. 3. The goal of 100 Days of Summer HEAT is to combat distracted, impaired and aggressive drivers. 

Aggressive driving is a leading cause of motor vehicle crashes, which results in serious injuries and fatalities. Aggressive driving includes speeding, following too close and failure to stop for traffic control devices. 

Impaired driving is the cause of more than half of all motor vehicle crashes. It means operating a motor vehicle while the driver is affected by alcohol, as well as legal or illegal drugs. 

Distracted driving is any activity or device that diverts a driver’s attention away from the task of driving safely. Remember that on July 1, Georgia becomes a hands-free state. That means that drivers may not talk, text or watch any electronic device while operating a motor vehicle.

As of May 25, there have been 536 motor vehicle fatalities. Of these, 65 percent were not wearing seat belts, compared to 616 at this time in 2017, of which 55 percent were not wearing seat belts. 

The state of Georgia reduced fatalities every year for nine consecutive years. In 2013, there were 1,179 fatalities compared to 1,170 in 2014. In 2015, Georgia had 1,432, which increased to 1,561 fatalities in 2016. 

In 2017, Georgia reduced fatalities from the 1,561 in 2016 to 1,549, starting another downward trend of reducing motor vehicle fatalities. 

In an effort to stop these injuries and deaths, this year’s 100 Days of Summer HEAT will include the following mobilizations: Operation Zero Tolerance (You Drink - You Drive - You Lose), June 22-July 5; and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, Aug. 16-Sept. 3.