As we near Labor Day 2013, Georgia law enforcement agencies are teaming up with law enforcement agencies of surrounding states to increase patrols, road blocks and enforcement in border areas of the state near South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida.

Sunday, August 25, 2013, was the first day of the 22nd "annual Hands Across the Border" DUI Enforcement Campaign.

Georgia officers will be working with all of the border states to conduct road checks.  Police, sheriff's deputies, and state troopers throughout Georgia will come together in areas near the state line.  They will be operating checkpoints to try to catch impaired drivers coming into and going from Georgia.

This enforcement effort will include DNR officers on the lakes looking for suspected Boating Under the Influence (BUI) offenders.

As the summer winds down, it makes sense to continue to be careful in your driving and to refrain from driving if you have consumed much alcohol.

The best way to avoid being charged with DUI is not to drink and drive and to not use marijuana, illegal drugs, or impairing prescriptions and drive.

If you are detained for investigation of a suspected DUI offense, you should not make any admissions about drinking or mediation or drug use.  You should refuse to participate in roadside field sobriety tests.  If you have consumed anything which might be considered impairing, you should refuse a Georgia state forensic test unless you are over 21 years of age, have not been involved in a wreck, are not a commercial driver,, and have not had a prior DUI conviction for an arrest within the last five years.

Sean A. Black is a DUI trial lawyer who helps drivers accused of DUI through the difficult administrative and court issues associated with a DUI.  He handles cases throughout Northeast Georgia.  He is available for consultation through this website or by telephone at 706-282-4696 or toll free at 866-234-4481.