Applauding traffic law enforcement

State and local law enforcement officials should be applauded for another successful run of Operation Thunder, a joint effort to aggressively enforce traffic laws and crack down on speeders and other motorists who pose a danger on Savannah-area streets and roadways.

Not surprisingly, local officers and state troopers had a field day, stopping violators right and left and issuing nearly 1,300 warnings and 3,300 citations during this special operation, which kicked off here in May and concluded earlier this month.

Most of the tickets were for seat belt violations, which proves that too many Georgians still aren’t getting the message to “click it, or ticket.” However, officers also wrote a whopping 693 tickets for speeding, proving that Chatham County again has more than its share of leadfoots who are risking their own lives and the lives of others to shave off a few seconds of travel time.

Another 95 tickets were written for distracted driving, a catchall category aimed at people who drive while engaged in other activities, like texting, eating, rubbernecking or gabbing with passengers. The motoring public appreciates the extra attention that officers are paying to the problem of distracted driving, especially motorists who insist on driving while texting on their cellphones. Highway safety experts have compared this dangerous activity to trying to drive after consuming four beers. Yet their presence on the road is common — motorists who are texting can be spotted at almost every traffic light — and they seem oblivious to the reality that it only takes a second to cause an accident while they are looking away from the road.

Good on these officers for making an extra effort to enforce the law against distracted driving. Motorists who insist on multitasking while driving deserve to be ticketed.

Operation Thunder is sponsored by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. This summer’s operation marked the third time this special program has targeted the Savannah area. The program’s ultimate goal is to reduce accidents and fatalities. While too many motorists are still being hurt or killed on area roads, especially I-16, the presence of more officers and state troopers are appreciated and they make a difference. Speed limit signs may not motivate a speeder to slow down, but the sight of a trooper with a radar gun probably will.

“The whole idea of bringing Operation Thunder back to Savannah was to increase safety conditions for all motorists, and I believe we’ve done that,” said Lt. Anthony Gallo, commander of the Savannah-Chatham police department’s traffic unit. “We still have work to do here. Just because Thunder is over does not mean we’re stepping back from our commitment to keep motorists safe.”

That’s encouraging. As a bonus, this traffic operation also resulted in 58 drug arrests, 21 felony arrests, 84 other arrests, and the apprehension of 13 fugitives. That means in addition to targeting traffic offenders, more criminals were taken off the streets.

Let’s hope Lt. Gallo and his traffic unit continues to put the heat on speeders and distracted drivers, especially in residential neighborhoods and in and around school zones.

Let’s also hope the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety brings Operation Thunder back to Savannah for a fourth time next summer. When something is working, you should stick with it.