Full Notification

MARIETTA POLICE DEPARTMENT

240 LEMON STREET, MARIETTA, GEORGIA 30060-1688

Policing with a Vision

Chief Dan Flynn

PHONE (770) 794-5300

Public Information Officer – Officer Nick Serkedakis
770-794-5364 (office) 770-877-0220 (cell)

******************* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*******************

Today is the start of The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety’s Program of 100 days of summer heat. In response to both the start of the summer driving season and the dramatic rise in traffic related fatalities across the State, the Marietta Police department aims to target the leading causes of those crashes. As reported by the Georgia DOT, fatalities are up 17% and the state is projected to surpass 1000 roadway fatalities this year. Even though fatal crashes are on the rise in the state, the city of Marietta has seen a decrease in fatalities within the jurisdiction. In 2013, The Marietta Police Department investigated 21 fatal crashes, contributing to the reported 1,189 fatal collisions in Georgia that year. 2013 proved to be the one of the deadliest in the last 10 years for City roadways. So far this year, there have only been 3 reported fatal collisions within the city limits, a 14% decrease from 2013. In an effort to maintain this low number, The Marietta Police Department in conjunction with the department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) has created a new Traffic Safety Initiative, STRIDE for under 1000.

The STRIDE Program was specifically created by the department for Seatbelts Texting Impaired & Reckless Driving Enforcement. In combination with the STRIDE program, several of the national traffic safety campaigns will be merged into the STRIDE program as well as local initiatives. Some of the national programs include the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) programs: “Obey the sign or pay the fine” speed enforcement, “click it or ticket” safety belt enforcement, “buzzed driving is drunk driving” DUI enforcement, and the “It can wait” distracted driving campaign. In response to these dangerous driving behaviors, highly trained traffic enforcement officers will began targeting these STRIDE offenses with various enforcement measures. Several operations will be conducted throughout the 100 days of summer heat in an attempt to maintain the low fatality rate on Marietta roadways and hopefully influence the behaviors of other motorists in the metro area. Officers will be out conducting high visibility enforcement as well as creative educational programs in order to influence good driving behavior. The Marietta Police Department will be inviting other local agencies to participate and partner in this new traffic safety initiative. The Marietta Police department is dedicated to safe roadways, and is committed to reducing traffic related deaths and injuries state wide.