Gwinnett Daily Post

DULUTH -- The Duluth Police Department has announced that it has received a grant of $16,600 from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety to help reduce impaired driving crashes, reduce excessive speeding, increase safety belt usage and educate the public about traffic safety.

The Duluth Police Department's Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic, or HEAT, unit will develop and implement strategies to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities from drugs and alcohol, speed and aggressive driving, and non-use of safety belts within their jurisdiction.

Governor's Office of Highway Safety Director Harris Blackwood said the grant "is a reminder of (local police) dedication in supporting the GOHS mission to protect Georgians from speeders and impaired drivers."

Blackwood said crashes involving impaired drivers killed 331 people across Georgia in 2009.

"The chance of a fatal crash involving drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol is much higher than the rate for fatal crashes not related to impairment," Blackwood said.

Georgia's HEAT units provide traffic law enforcement required to save lives on the highway.

For more information about the Duluth Police HEAT unit, email jmanders@duluthpd.com, or call 770-476-4151.

For more information about the HEAT program and other highway safety campaigns, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org.