TEAM Georgia is a nonprofit coalition of safety officials, businesses and individuals throughout the state that is focused upon road safety and public education concerning drinking and driving.
The organization recently announced a seasonal initiative entitled Safe Holiday and Tow to Go Campaign that stresses the avoidance of drunk driving and the corresponding promotion of accident-free motoring over the winter holidays.
TEAM Georgia is a partner of the state's Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) and an organization that is supported by alcohol beverage makers, AAA, taxi companies, the Georgia Restaurant Association and other businesses that cater to patrons who drink alcoholic beverages.
The goal of the group's 2011 campaign is simple and straightforward: to do whatever it takes to bring about enhanced safety on the state's roads.
"TEAM Georgia wants to ensure that the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year by promoting safe and responsible celebrations," stated Ron Fennel, the organization's chairman, in a public announcement earlier this month.
The coalition will provide holiday safety tips as well as a free ride home for drinkers in public venues who may have consumed a bit too much alcohol. Many Atlanta-area bars and restaurants have pledged to train their waiting staff to detect and advise persons who might have over imbibed of the free service provided by Checker Cab and the AAA "Tow to Go" service.
The GOHS states that DUI-related crashes have increased in Georgia in recent years and that accidents involving impaired drivers result in fatalities at a much higher rate than do alcohol-free crashes.
Source: WXIA Atlanta, "TEAM Georgia launches 2011 Safe Holiday and Tow to Go Campaign" Dec. 1, 2011
