If you're traveling to or through Georgia this Labor Day weekend, 'Hands Across the Border' will be watching, ready to pull over impaired visitors on Georgia highways. The Governors' Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) noted that this is Georgia's 20th year teaming with its five neighboring states in stepping up efforts to take drunk drivers off the road.

From I-75 south to Florida and north to Tennessee, I-20 and I-85 east to South Carolina and west to Alabama and all roadways in between, drivers should expect zero-tolerance for any violation of Georgia DUI laws over the holiday weekend.

Out-of-State Drivers Charged With a Georgia DUI

While law enforcement will be looking for anyone behind the wheel driving impaired regardless of whether you call Macon, another Georgia city or another state home, those just passing through or vacationing in Georgia may have the most trouble with this program. Defending yourself against a DUI charge is important, regardless of where you call home, but defending yourself against an out-of-state DUI charge in a courtroom that may be hundreds of miles from your home can be that much more difficult.

As part of the Driver License Compact, a Georgia DUI conviction does affect out-of-state drivers. Any penalties related to your Georgia DUI can be imposed on you in your home state:

  • Information about the Georgia DUI charge and any penalties will be shared with your home state.
  • A Georgia DUI can result in the suspension of your non-Georgia driver's license.

Basically, the DUI charge and sentence will follow you when you leave Georgia. You cannot simply ignore the charge or the consequences by returning home. 

From August 19 through September 5, Georgia law enforcement agencies, including local police departments, sheriffs' deputies and state troopers will be working together to promote awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving as well as heightened enforcement as part of Georgia's zero-tolerance policy against drunk driving. Operation Zero Tolerance, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and the Hands Across the Border initiatives are all part of the nationwide Labor Day campaign targeting drunk and impaired drivers.

Source: 20th "Hands Across the Border" DUI Enforcement