The Georgia State Patrol and members of the Department of Public Safety's Motor Carrier Compliance Division will join their law enforcement counterparts in neighboring states this week to encourage safe travel during the upcoming Labor Day holiday travel period.

Georgia State Troopers, along with officers from the Department of Public Safety's Motor Carrier Compliance Division, will join other law enforcement officers for "Hands Across the Border" with safety education events planned throughout the week.

"This is an excellent way for law enforcement officers to show their support for safe travel, especially with one of the heavier-traveled holiday periods rapidly approaching," Colonel Bill Hitchens, Georgia State Patrol Commander, said Monday. Events are planned each morning during the week of August 25 in an effort to promote safe driving. "The focus of the events will be to encourage motorists to slow down, buckle up, and don't drink and drive during their holiday travels," he said.

Following a news conference each morning, officers will distribute safety brochures and materials at the Georgia Welcome Center and then an hour later the same series of events will be repeated in the neighboring states.

The night before each "Hands Across the Border" event, law enforcement officers will be conducting sobriety checkpoints as part of "Operation Zero Tolerance," Georgia's high visibility DUI enforcement program.

This is the 17th year the Georgia State Patrol has participated in "Hands Across the Border,'" Colonel Hitchens said. "Each year these events are a valuable resource for troopers, police officers and sheriffs' deputies to exchange safety ideas while meeting motorists one-onone, all with a goal in mind of saving lives."