UPS Honors Georgia Drivers for 25 Years of Safe Driving

(BUSINESS WIRE)--UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced 49 elite drivers from Georgia are among 1,122 newly inducted worldwide into the Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving.

“UPS puts a premium on safe-driving methods and training, and these drivers represent the best of the industry”

Georgia boasts 232 active Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 6,670 years of accident-free driving. Robert Millican Jr. of Flintstone is Georgia’s senior safe driver, with 41 years of accident-free driving under his belt, tying him for fifth best safe driving record among UPS’s 102,00 drivers.

Globally, 5,248 active UPS drivers are members of the Circle of Honor. Collectively they’ve racked up 147,244 years and more than 5 billion safe miles during their careers, or the equivalent of circling the earth more than 188,000 times.

The number of new inductees represents the largest increase in new members in a single year in the company’s history.

“UPS puts a premium on safe-driving methods and training, and these drivers represent the best of the industry,” said Dow Dameron, president and chief operating officer, UPS South Atlantic District. “I’m very proud of these men and women. To go at least a quarter-of-a-century without an accident is a testament to the effectiveness of that training and to the pride our people take in their jobs.”

Nationally, the most seasoned UPS Circle of Honor driver is Ron Sowder of UPS’s Ohio Valley District, with 49 years of driving without an accident. Thomas Camp of the Great Lakes District is next in line with 48 years of safe driving. Twenty-five others have logged at least 40 years without an accident.

UPS’s 102,000 drivers are among the safest on the roads, logging more than 3 billion miles a year and averaging less than one accident for every million miles driven. There are 2,574 total UPS drivers in Georgia.

UPS invested $53 million in 2010 on safety training and employs its own comprehensive driving course called “Space and Visibility.” New UPS tractor-trailer drivers receive 80 hours of classroom and on-the-road training and UPS package car drivers receive 20 hours of classroom and on-the-road defensive driving training before operating equipment. Package car drivers also complete three safety ride evaluations during their first 22 days on the job.

Founded in 1907, UPS has a rich history of safety and training. The company issued its first driver handbook in 1917 and began recognizing safe drivers in 1923. In 1928, UPS recognized its first five-year safe driver, Ray McCue, with UPS founder Jim Casey presenting him a gold and platinum watch. UPS formally established the Circle of Honor in 1955.

Following is a list of Georgia drivers inducted this year to the Circle of Honor.

Driver		Hometown		UPS Work Location
Antone Belk		Mcdonough		Forest Park
Bobby Bradshaw		Rome		Pleasantdale Hub
Waymon Brown		Lithia Springs		Pleasantdale Hub
Robert Caldwell		Douglasville		Atlanta Hub
Patrick Canupp		Watkinsville		Athens
Rowland Carros		Acworth		Pleasantdale Hub
Eugene Carter		Tifton		Tifton
Billy Cavender		Bowdon		Atlanta Hub
Danny Clark		Flowery Branch		Pleasantdale Hub
Patrick Conn		Carrollton		Atlanta Hub
Kerry Creel		Loganville		Pleasantdale Hub
Jeff Cross		Bogart		Pleasantdale Hub
Vincent Daniels		Decatur		Pleasantdale Hub
Larry Doolittle Jr		Mcdonough		Pleasantdale Hub
Walter Durrett		Stockbridge		Forest Park
Michael Evans		Lilburn		Pleasantdale Hub
Robert Fennell		Odum		Waycross
David Gamblin		Temple		Pleasantdale Hub
Terry Gibson		Marietta		Pleasantdale Hub
Michael Green		Gainesville		Carnesville
Gary Hadden		Lilburn		Pleasantdale Hub
Darrel Hagan		Dearing		Warrenton
Alan Hawkins		Tucker		Pleasantdale Hub
Jesse Henry		Adrian		Swainsboro
Jerry Hill		Murrayville		Gainesville
Mark Howell		Watkinsville		Pleasantdale Hub
David Eugene Hughes		Thomson		Warrenton
Lester Ingle		Columbus		Columbus
Joseph Ivey		Loganville		Pleasantdale Hub
Kenneth Johnson		Kingston		Rome
Kenneth Steven Johnson		Twin City		Swainsboro
Reddrick Johnson		Albany		Albany Center
Carl Lehmann		Dacula		Pleasantdale Hub
Karl Lockhart		Leesburg		Albany Center
Forrest McGahee		Decatur		Pleasantdale Hub
Larry David Parker		Dawsonville		Roswell
James Pope		Tifton		Tifton
Henry Prock		Lawrenceville		Pleasantdale Hub
Theotis Rozier		Macon		Macon
Gill Allen Salter		Cartersville		Acworth Center
Harold Boyd Shuman Jr		Richmond Hill		Savannah
Otis Sims		College Park		Atlanta Hub
Anthony Smith		Stockbridge		Forest Park
Allen Spence		Carrollton		Atlanta Hub
Terry Swindle		Gainesville		Gainesville
Charles Traylor		Hahira		Valdosta
James Stanley Westbrook		Austell		Atlanta Hub
Billy Wayne Whitaker		Warrenton		Warrenton
Theosia Williams		Douglasville		Pleasantdale Hub

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150 Highway Improvement Projects Underway or Completed in Georgia Thanks to Stimulus Law

/PRNewswire/ -- There are currently 150 American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA)-financed highway construction projects underway or completed in Georgia involving $465.8 million in funds, according to data released today by the Washington, D.C.-based American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The projects underway or completed have supported or are supporting 12,960 jobs in Georgia that would otherwise not exist, says ARTBA Vice President of Economics & Research Dr. Bill Buechner.

ARRA, signed into law on February 17, 2009, provided $48 billion for transportation improvements over two years, including $27.5 billion for highway, bridge and related construction projects nationwide. The law is having significant impacts on the transportation construction industry in all 50 states.

ARRA provided $932.8 million to Georgia for highway, bridge and related improvements. This one-time bonus added more than 81 percent to Georgia's regular federal highway funds under the current federal surface transportation law - Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) - bringing the state's total federal highway funding in 2009 to a record $2.08 billion.

According to Buechner, a Harvard-trained economist, another 193 projects have been identified and are slated to be under construction shortly.

The following shows the number of ARRA-financed highway projects and amount obligated in each Georgia congressional district.

Congressional District  Number of projects    Amount Obligated
  ----------------------  ------------------    ----------------
                        1                    34          $86,665,347
                      ---                   ---          -----------
                        2                    43          $86,835,121
                      ---                   ---          -----------
                        3                    38          $85,771,226
                      ---                   ---          -----------
                        4                    19          $56,778,387
                      ---                   ---          -----------
                        5                    12          $38,240,488
                      ---                   ---          -----------
                        6                    23          $66,378,240
                      ---                   ---          -----------
                        7                     8          $63,631,194
                      ---                   ---          -----------
                        8                    31         $117,272,487
                      ---                   ---         ------------
                        9                    22          $21,766,493
                      ---                   ---          -----------
                       10                    43          $87,392,499
                      ---                   ---          -----------
                       11                    18          $42,277,506
                      ---                   ---          -----------
                       12                    37          $43,465,818
                      ---                   ---          -----------
                       13                    13          $39,155,780
                      ---                   ---          -----------
       Multidistrict                          2           $1,171,095
       -------------                        ---           ----------

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Consumer Reports Suspends Recommendations for Recalled Toyotas

/PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Reports has temporarily suspended its "recommended" status for eight Toyota vehicle models and one Pontiac model that may have accelerator pedals that can stick and cause unintended acceleration.

Consumer Reports are also advising used-car buyers to avoid purchasing any of the affected vehicles until this issue is resolved.

"Although incidents of sudden acceleration are rare, we are taking this action because the vehicles have been identified as potentially unsafe without a fix yet being available to consumers, and in general our position is that you shouldn't compromise on safety," said Jim Guest, President of Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports.

Toyota said Friday it is working to get new parts to its factories and is finalizing a fix for dealers.

Consumer Reports recommends that owners of the estimated 2.3 million vehicles involved in the recall become familiar with the warning signs of trouble, which may include the accelerator pedal being harder to depress, slower to return to its upper position, or simply not operating smoothly. It adds that all drivers should know what to do if their car suffers sudden unintended acceleration, and has posted specific steps for safely regaining control of a runaway vehicle at www.ConsumerReports.org/acceleration.

The affected models include:



2005-2010 Avalon
2007-2010 Camry (excluding the Hybrid and some other models)
2009-2010 Corolla
2010 Highlander (excluding the Hybrid model)
2009-2010 Matrix
2009-2010 RAV4
2007-2010 Tundra
2008-2010 Sequoia
2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe



Toyota told dealers earlier this week to stop selling new vehicles on this list. Under federal law, dealers cannot deliver affected new cars to customers until the problem is corrected. Separately, GM halted sales of the Pontiac Vibe, which was included in the recall because it is nearly identical to the Toyota Matrix.

All nine of the models involved in this recall had performed well in Consumer Reports' road tests and reliability Ratings, and had earned our "recommended" designation as a result. In view of that fact, and the fact that the vehicles have also done well on government and insurance industry safety tests, we expect to be able to reinstate the "recommended" tag once we are satisfied the problem has been resolved.

"We continue to feel these are fundamentally good cars," explained David Champion, director of the group's Auto Test Center. "The instances of sticking accelerator pedals appear to be few compared to the millions of affected vehicles that have been sold. We took this step simply because we did not feel comfortable continuing to recommend them until the accelerator problem is fixed."

The ConsumerReports.org website is being updated to remove the "recommended" tag on the affected models and replace it with a note saying the designation has been temporarily suspended. That update is expected to be complete sometime over the weekend.

While the Toyota problem is at the center of public attention at this moment, Consumer Reports also noted that unintended acceleration has been reported in other brands of vehicles. That underscores the need for all drivers to be aware of how to deal with this risk, however small it may be. See "How to cope with sudden unintended acceleration" for more information.

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NADA Statement on the Toyota Recall

/PRNewswire/ -- The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) issued the following statement today on the Toyota recall:

"Toyota is doing the right thing. The safety of the customer is of paramount concern. Toyota has a reputation for resolving problems quickly. We certainly hope that's the case in this situation as well.

"This is creating a very difficult situation for dealers, in an already tough market. NADA is working with Toyota to identify a plan to help get dealers through this. In the meantime, we are encouraging Toyota dealers to check to see if they have business interruption insurance that might help them weather this crisis.

"For the consumer, Toyota has set up a toll-free number to answer customer's questions. That number is 1-800-331-4331."

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National Safety Council Estimates That At Least 1.6 Million Crashes Are Caused Each Year by Drivers Using Cell Phones and Texting

/PRNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council announced today that it estimates at least 28% of all traffic crashes -- or at least 1.6 million crashes each year -- are caused by drivers using cell phones and texting. NSC estimates that 1.4 million crashes each year are caused by drivers using cell phones and a minimum of 200,000 additional crashes each year are caused by drivers who are texting. The announcement came on the one-year anniversary of NSC's call for a ban on all cell phone use and texting while driving.

"We now know that at least 1.6 million crashes are caused by drivers using cell phones and texting," said Janet Froetscher, president & CEO of the National Safety Council. "We know that cell phone use is a very risky distraction and texting is even higher risk. We now know that cell phone use causes many more crashes than texting. The main reason is that millions more drivers use cell phones than text," she said. "That is why we need to address both texting and cell phone use on our roads."

"This new estimate provides critical data for legislators, business leaders and individuals to evaluate the threat and need for legislation, business policies and personal actions to prevent cell phone use and texting while driving," Froetscher said. "There was great progress made in 2009, particularly regarding a broad recognition that texting is dangerous. We now need the same broad consensus that recognizes cell phone use while driving causes even more crashes."

Froetscher said public support for laws banning cell phone use while driving is gaining momentum.

"Public opinion research conducted in 2009 by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and Nationwide Insurance show public support for total bans on cell phones at 43 and 57 percent respectively," Froetscher said. "With public support now around 50 percent, we will continue to educate people about the risks of cell phone use while driving and the value of effectively-enforced laws in changing behavior and reducing crashes."

In constructing its estimates, NSC used widely-accepted statistical methods and analysis based on data of driver cell phone use from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and from peer-reviewed research that quantifies the risk of using a cell phone and texting while driving. NSC's statistical model and estimates were peer-reviewed by academic researchers in traffic safety and biostatistics.

The estimate of 25% of all crashes -- or 1.4 million crashes -- caused by cell phone use was derived from NHTSA data showing 11% of drivers at any one time are using cell phones and from peer-reviewed research reporting cell phone use increases crash risk by four times. The estimate of an additional minimum 3% of crashes -- or 200,000 crashes -- caused by texting was derived by NHTSA data showing 1% of drivers at any one time are manipulating their device in ways that include texting and from research reporting texting increases crash risk by 8 times. Using the highest risk for texting reported by research of 23 times results in a maximum of 1 million crashes due to texting; still less than the 1.4 million crashes caused by other cell phone use.

The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads, through leadership, research, education and advocacy.

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Obama Administration Sends Strong Message Against Texting While Driving

24/7 - President Obama's administration is taking aggressive steps to curb dangerous distracted driving, especially texting at the wheel. In the spectrum of activities that can sidetrack a driver while driving, texting is particularly worrisome because it requires the combined use of eyes, hands and thought. The administration is actively responding to a concerned public, alarming scientific findings and troubling statistics.

The Virginia Tech Study

In July, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) -- based on sophisticated monitoring of over six million actual driving miles -- released the results of comprehensive studies on cell-phone impact on driving distraction. The study found texting the most dangerous of cell phone activities. In a heavy truck, text messaging while driving increased the risk of a crash or near-crash event by staggering 23.2 times.

Logically, texting takes a driver's eyes off the road for much longer stretches than listening or talking on a mobile phone. VTTI reported that texting at 55 mph can take a driver's eyes off the road for the length of a football field. Based on its findings, the VTTI recommends a total ban on texting in all types of moving vehicles and a prohibition on all types of cell phone use by inexperienced drivers.

The Distracted Driving Summit

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) hosted a two-day high-profile national conference in September that brought together 250 national experts from industry, science and government to put a microscope to the problem of distracted driving and to raise public awareness of the severity of the problem. In conjunction, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood revealed new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics that in 2008 almost 6,000 people were killed and over 500,000 injured in distracted-driving crashes.

Secretary LaHood also announced that the administration will work to ban texting by truckers, train operators and bus drivers -- both school and interstate.

The Executive Order

President Obama underscored his commitment to fighting distracted drivers when at the conclusion of the conference on October 1 he signed an Executive Order 13513, which prohibits millions of federal employees from texting while driving when using government equipment or conducting official business.

Congressional Action

Two major bills were recently introduced in Congress and are being studied in committee -- the Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers Act of 2009 (ALERT Drivers Act) and the Distracted Driving Prevention Act of 2009. The bills would, respectively, require DOT to withhold 25 percent of federal highway funding from any state that did not ban texting while driving and give a monetary grant to a state that bans texting and other cell-phone use.

Cautious Optimism

Safety advocates are watching developments in our nation's capital with keen interest. Just as firmer government regulation of drunk driving, seat-belt and motorcycle-helmet use started at the grass roots, it appears that the federal government is poised to take meaningful action to curb death and injury caused by drivers distracted by texting.

Article provided by The McClellan Law Firm

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Liberty Mutual Provides Online Tips and Resources to Help Teen Drivers Navigate Dangerous Road Conditions This Winter

/PRNewswire/ -- With winter approaching, drivers in many parts of the country must prepare to cope with the season's ice, snow, and other hazards that turn roads treacherous and contribute to the more than 1.5 million annual weather-related car crashes reported by the National Research Council. And teen drivers in particular, many of whom will face wintry conditions behind the wheel for the first time, need added guidance to safely navigate the roadways through the upcoming months. To help, Liberty Mutual Insurance has a host of winter weather safety resources for teens at www.LibertyMutualTeenDriving.com.

"Driving in wintry conditions is no easy task, even for seasoned drivers, and it is especially difficult for younger drivers with limited experience to adapt to slippery roads and poor visibility," said Dave Melton, a driving safety expert with the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety. "Teen drivers need to take extra steps to protect themselves this winter, and parents need to promote and enforce safe driving habits to keep their teens safe."

Before getting behind the wheel, a driving safety video at www.LibertyMutualTeenDriving.com will help teens and parents get winter road-ready and ensure their cars are safe and in good working order. Website visitors also will find winter car maintenance tips and a checklist for a winter driving safety kit. These tips from Liberty Mutual and Dave Melton include:

-- Before you get on the road in bad weather, check your local news
stations and their Internet sites - for detailed, up-to-the-minute
weather and traffic information.
-- If your trip is absolutely necessary, give yourself extra time.
-- During inclement weather put extra distance - at least five or six
seconds - between yourself and the vehicle in front.
-- Antilock brakes, all-wheel and four-wheel drive won't help you stop
faster.
-- Turn on your headlights so other drivers can see you. In snow, fog
and rain, don't use high beams - they increase glare for both you and
other drivers.
-- Signal your intentions early - don't surprise other drivers.
-- Do not use cruise control when roads are hazardous.
-- And, slow down!


Heeding such driving safety advice is critical year-round, but even more so during the winter: car crashes are 36 percent more likely to happen in January than July, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Add in unsafe or distracted driving behaviors reported by teen drivers in a recent study by Liberty Mutual and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), including speeding (39 percent), talking on a cell phone (37 percent) and text messaging (30 percent), and our winter roadways become even more dangerous.

Since 1991, Liberty Mutual and SADD have collaborated on research and responsible solutions to keep families safe behind the wheel, including the resources found at www.LibertyMutualTeenDriving.com such as:

-- fun and easy ways for teens to brush up on basic driving skills such
as following street signs, mastering parallel parking, and managing
wet roads;
-- video demonstrations on safe driving techniques;
-- information on state-by-state driving laws;
-- a safe driving quiz that challenges teens to think about their driving
skills and compete with their parents or friends;
-- a customizable parent/teen safe driving contract with customizable
family ground rules around key safe driving issues such as speeding,
the number of passengers in the car, cell phone usage, texting while
driving, and curfews;
-- tips on how to talk to teens about driving distractions and dangers;
-- tips on buying and caring for a car, individual car safety scores;
-- and, an exclusive 50 percent discount for teens to take the National
Safety Council's online Defensive Driving Course.

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Federal and Local Government Cracking Down on Texting While Driving

/PRNewswire/ -- Motorists are being forced to be more responsible behind the wheel and with good reason. Whether eating, changing a radio station, interacting with passengers or talking on the phone, distracted drivers raise the chance of traffic accidents occurring; unfortunately texting and driving has become a new and dangerous trend that is causing federal and local governments to crack down on not only average citizens, but government employees as well.

Realizing the danger of texting behind the wheel, an Executive Order was released by the White House on October 1, 2009 stating that Federal employees are prohibited from texting while operating Government-owned, leased or rented vehicles. In addition, employees are not allowed to text while driving privately owned automobiles while on official business or using equipment supplied by the Government, with few exceptions. Federal agencies have 90 days from the date of an executive order to become compliant and enforce appropriate disciplinary actions for violations.

Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Executive-Order-Federal-Leadership- on-Reducing-Text-Messaging-while-Driving/

Many states are taking similar actions as well. Currently, several states have already set laws in place which ban texting while driving and it is expected that, by January 1st, 2010, twenty-one states will be enforcing these laws. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, distracted drivers accounted for 28,395 crashes resulting in 114 deaths 14,480 injuries. These numbers are quite frightening and many of these accidents could have been avoided.

Being responsible and attentive behind the wheel may also help protect the lives of drivers and passengers occupying the roadways. Irresponsible driving may even lead to higher costs of insuring which is why websites such as http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/ encourage motorists to practice safe driving and obey traffic laws at all times. Poor driving habits lead to tickets and accidents which can cause motorists to be in need of high risk auto insurance policies leading to inflated premiums and more difficulty finding affordable rates.

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Professional Truck Drivers Provide Life Saving Advice During Winter Weather

/PRNewswire/ -- With extreme winter weather blanketing the nation, and the promise of fresh snowstorms during the busy holiday travel season, million mile accident-free professional truck drivers are taking the opportunity to share their experience and help make our roads safer.

Drivers from the Share the Road national highway safety program offer this advice on how to navigate through highway traffic and arrive at your destination safely:

-- Avoid extreme weather conditions: Ice, hail and snow make roads
difficult to travel. Try to avoid driving through extreme weather
conditions, and travel during daylight.
-- Remove ice and snow from your vehicle: Clear your windows and roof of
snow to ensure you have maximum visibility and avoid creating a hazard
for the vehicle behind you. Don't allow ice and snow to create
additional blindspots on your vehicle.
-- Be aware of the vehicle in front of you: Leave extra room between you
and the vehicle in front so you can avoid snow and ice blowing onto
your windshield or maneuver around patches of ice.
-- Prepare an emergency kit: Contents should include: battery powered
radio, flashlight, blanket, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, first
aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable foods, maps, tire repair kit
and flares.
-- Be aware of truck blind spots: When sharing the road with large
trucks, be aware of their blind spots. If you can't see the truck
driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can't see you.
-- Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember that trucks are heavier
and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in
front of them.
-- Slow Down: When highways are hit with wintry conditions, speeding
becomes even more dangerous. Allow plenty of space cushion and reduce
your speed.
-- Buckle up: Safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent
and are a simple way to increase your safety on the road.


"Highway travel is challenging when you add wintry conditions such as ice, snow and slush," said Share the Road professional driver Gary Leu. "Remember to take it slow, stay alert and buckle up if you need to travel during less than ideal conditions. By being patient we can all share the highway and stay safe this winter."

Share the Road is a highway safety outreach program of the American Trucking Associations that educates all drivers about sharing the roads safely with large trucks. An elite team of professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles deliver life-saving messages to millions of motorists annually. The safety program is sponsored by Mack Trucks, Inc. and Michelin North America, Inc. www.atastr.org

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USA to Observe Drive Safer Sunday Nov. 29

/PRNewswire/ -- The fifth annual national observance of Drive Safer Sunday in America is set for Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, when Road Safe America urges motorists across the USA again to focus on driving more safely to avoid becoming a statistic on the busiest highway traffic day of the year.

The annual observance, supported by state and congressional resolutions, thousands of motorists, truckers and the news media, was launched on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2005 by Atlanta-based Road Safe America.

The American Automobile Association is projecting a 1.4 percent increase in Thanksgiving travel this year, although fewer people are expected to travel by air due to budget concerns, reduced airline capacity and added charges. AAA estimates 38.4 million people will be traveling at least 50 miles next weekend. AAA projects 86 percent of travelers will drive.

"The death of almost 40,000 people a year in more than 6 million highway crashes in America is an unchecked epidemic in this country," said Stephen C. Owings of Atlanta, co-founder of Road Safe America along with his wife, Susan.

The Owings founded Road Safe America after their son, Cullum, was killed on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2002 when his car - stopped in an interstate traffic jam - was crushed from behind by a speeding tractor trailer truck on cruise control going 7 mph over the posted speed limit.

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation show almost 1,000 truckers and about 4,000 auto drivers and passengers are killed in wrecks involving heavy commercial vehicles every year.

Road Safe America urges all of the motorists who will be traveling back home, or to school, that day to remember how dangerous a day it is and to be particularly careful. Stay alert, buckle up, drive slowly as well as defensively, and give heavy commercial vehicles plenty of room since they can't see, maneuver or stop as well as smaller vehicles. We also encourage all drivers to stay off of their communications devices, which are so dangerously distracting.

During this year's observance of Drive Safer Sunday, Road Safe America will honor Robert F. Dallas, Director of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety in Georgia. Bob's support of the Road Safe America cause and especially Drive Safer Sunday has been broad and effective since the very beginning of the organization's efforts.

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State Troopers and DPS Officers Have Begun Holiday Seat Belt Enforcement Effort

Georgia State Troopers and officers with the Georgia Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance Division and Capitol Police Services Unit joined their law enforcement counterparts across the United States on Monday, November 16, for Operation Click It or Ticket. The two-week, high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort will target motorists who are not wearing their seat belts or properly restraining children.

Colonel Bill Hitchens, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said seat belt enforcement has proven to save lives. "Through enforcement and education, more people are using seat belts than ever before and that has translated to more lives saved when traffic crashes occur," he said. "But, far too many people are still not buckling up or taking the time to properly restrain children."

Last year during the 102-hour Thanksgiving holiday travel period, the Georgia State Patrol investigated 10 fatal crashes between 6 p.m. Wednesday and midnight the following Sunday. "Of the 10 fatal crashes troopers investigated, six of the people killed were not wearing seat belts; one crash victim was a motorcyclist; and use could not be determined in one crash," the Commissioner noted.

Nationally, nighttime is the worst for seat belt use, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of the 231 traffic deaths in crashes occurring at night during the Thanksgiving holiday period in 2008, 67 percent were not wearing seat belts.

Colonel Hitchens said troopers will be keeping a close watch for seat belt violations during patrols over the next two weeks and MCCD officers will be watching for seat belt violations by drivers of commercial motor vehicles as well. "Federal regulations require safety belt use at all times in a commercial motor vehicle," he said.

"Wearing a seat belt costs you nothing, and may save your life or protect you from a serious, possibly life-altering injury," Colonel Hitchens said. "Not wearing a seat belt, especially during this Thanksgiving period, will definitely cost you a ticket at the very least."

Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, according to NHTSA. Research has shown that when lap and shoulder belts are used properly, the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.

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Governor Certifies $66 Million in Transportation Projects

On November 9, Governor Sonny Perdue announced that he has certified $65.8 million in transportation projects under the “1511 Certification” that will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“These projects will bring safety improvements and needed maintenance and support to roads, intersections and bridges around Georgia,” said Governor Perdue. “The federal funds will make our roads safe and strengthen our transportation network.”

For more information, visit Georgia DOT’s stimulus website at www.dot.state.ga.us/gastimulus .The list of the projects approved is below:


Baker CR 122/PRETORIA ROAD FROM SR 91 TO DOUGHERTY COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Baldwin CS 701/BLANDY ROAD FROM SR 49 TO SR 22

Resurface & Maintenance

Baldwin CR 69/BROWNS CROSSING ROAD FROM SR 49 TO SR 22

Resurface & Maintenance

Ben Hill CR 254/OSIERFIELD FROM SR 206 TO IRWIN COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Berrien CR 359/WYCLIFF ROBERTS ROAD FM SR 158 TO CR 238/GLADYS ROAD

Resurface & Maintenance

Bryan, Chatham I-95 FROM SR 25/US 17/BRYAN TO I-16/CHATHAM

Resurface & Maintenance

Bulloch CR 577/DENMARK-NEVILS ROAD FM CR 584/GROVELAND ROAD TO SR 67

Resurface & Maintenance

Butts CR 296/BROWNLEE ROAD FM SR 36 TO CR 136 @ MONROE COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Camden CR 141/HARRIETTS BLUFF ROAD FM DEEP CREEK TO CHEMICAL PLANT

Resurface & Maintenance

Chattooga CR 329/GORE-SUBLIGNA RD FROM SR 1/US 27 TO CR 29/JOHNSTON RD

Resurface & Maintenance

Chattooga CR 325/NARROWS RD FM CR 337 TO W OF CR 330 - STABILIZATION

Pavement Rehab

Cherokee SR 5BU FROM SR 140/WALESKA TO CS 785/RIVERSTONE BLVD

Signals - Safety

Clarke CR 470/MAIN ST FM CR 134/ATHENS RD TO OGLETHORPE COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Clarke CR 140/OLD ELBERTON FM CR 477/VOYLES RD TO MADISON CO LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Clarke CR 120/SMOKEY ROAD FROM NOWHERE ROAD TO HELICAN SPRINGS ROAD

Resurface & Maintenance

Clayton CR 311/PINE RIDGE RD FROM SR 3/US 19 TO CR 312/PHILLIPS DR

Resurface & Maintenance

Clayton CR 1351/REX ROAD FROM SR 42 TO I-675

Resurface & Maintenance

Cobb CR 1720/WINDY HILL FM CR 1154/POWERS FERRY RD TO SR 3/US 41

Resurface & Maintenance

Colquitt CS 759/CS 1025/WEST BLVD FM SR 33/US 319 TO CS 753/FIFTH AVE

Resurface & Maintenance

Cook CR 247/MASSEE POST RD FROM BOONE RD TO LONNIE GRIMSLEY RD

Resurface & Maintenance

Dooly CR 320/ELKO ROAD FROM HOUSTON COUNTY LINE TO SR 7

Resurface & Maintenance

Dougherty SR 300/US 19 MEDIAN TURN LANES FROM MITCHELL CO TO WORTH CO

Turn Lanes - Safety

Dougherty WEST OAKRIDGE DRIVE FM OLD PRETORIA ROAD TO LOCKETT STATION

Resurface & Maintenance

Effingham CR 307/CLYO-KILDARE ROAD FROM SR 21 TO N OF PR 443

Resurface & Maintenance

Elbert CR 307/THIRTEEN FORKS ROAD FROM SR 77 TO HART COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Evans CR 233/OLD HWY 250 FM TATTNALL CO LINE TO CR 204/SUNBURY RD

Resurface & Maintenance

Floyd CS 1124/BROAD STREET FROM SR 1/US 27 TO COOSA RIVER

Resurface & Maintenance

Floyd CS 642/CHARLTON ST FROM SR 1/US 27 TO CR 1050/DIVISION ST

Resurface & Maintenance

Franklin CR 418/CR 419/BOLD SPRINGS RD FM SR 106 TO SR 59; EXC SR 26

Resurface & Maintenance

Fulton JOHNS CREEK GREENWAY SEGMENT 1 PART 2

Bicycle/Ped. Facility

Gordon CR 483/CRAIGTOWN ROAD FROM SR 225 TO SR 3/US 41

Resurface & Maintenance

Gordon CR 483/NEWTOWN CHURCH ROAD FROM SR 225 TO CR 21/NEWTOWN ROAD

Resurface & Maintenance

Grady CR 315/17TH AVE FM SR 93/SR 111 TO 0.30 MI E OF SR 38/US 84

Resurface & Maintenance

Habersham CR 387/DEMOREST/MT AIRY ROAD FROM SR 385/US 442 TO SR 365

Resurface & Maintenance

Hancock CR 180/POWELLTON AVE FM HAMILTON ST TO SPARTA CITY LIMITS

Resurface & Maintenance

Hart CR 505/LIBERTY CHURCH ROAD FROM SR 172 TO ELBERT COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Jackson CR 426/WAYNE POULTRY FM OLD GAINESVILLE HWY TO VALENTINE PKY

Resurface & Maintenance

Jefferson CS 561/MIDVILLE ROAD FROM SR 4 TO SR 24

Resurface & Maintenance

Jefferson CR 59/QUAKER ROAD FROM SR 17 TO SR 80

Resurface & Maintenance

Johnson CR 203/BAY SPRINGS CHURCH RD FM SR 26 TO MT OLIVE CHURCH RD

Resurface & Maintenance

Jones CR 292/BOWEN HILL ROAD FROM CR 107/SMITH ROAD TO SR 49

Resurface & Maintenance

Lamar CR 214/HIGH FALLS PARK FROM SR 36 TO MONROE COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Laurens CS 768/ROBERSON ST FROM SR 19/US 80 TO CS 770/KNOX ST

Resurface & Maintenance

Laurens CR 526/OLD MACON RD FM EVERGREEN RD TO WILKINSON COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Lee CR 227/PINEWOOD RD FM KINCHAFOONEE CRK TO CR 229/BRONWOOD RD

Resurface & Maintenance

Lee CR 231/NORTH PHILEMA ROAD FROM SR 32 TO CR 232/NEW YORK ROAD

Resurface & Maintenance

Lowndes CR 779/HOWELL RD FM CR 1274/STATENVILLE TO SR 7/PERIMETER RD

Resurface & Maintenance

Lowndes CR 782/MORVEN ROAD FROM SR 122 TO BROOKS COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

LumpkinCR 134/DAMASCUS CHURCH RD FM SR 9/US 19 TO WHITE COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Macon CR 282/DRAYTON RD FM CR 22/TWIN CHURCHS RD TO DOOLY CO LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Madison CR 394/LEXINGTON ROAD FROM SR 72 TO OGLETHORPE COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

McDuffie CS 663/RAILDROAD STREET FROM SR 17 TO SR 223

Resurface & Maintenance

McDuffie CR 309/HAPPY VALLEY ROAD FROM SR 17 TO CR 297/SAND HILL ROAD

Resurface & Maintenance

Miller CR 189/GRADY COBB RD FM SHINGLER RD TO THREE NOTCH RD

Resurface & Maintenance

Mitchell CR 275/RIVER ROAD FROM SR 65 TO CR 11/SLASH ROAD

Resurface & Maintenance

Muscogee WARM SPRINGS RAIL LINE BIKE/PED TRAIL - PHASE III

TE-Bike/Ped Facility

Muscogee ATMS/SIGNAL/CCTV/FIBER IN COLUMBUS

Safety

Muscogee ATMS: COLUMBUS/MUSCOGEE COUNTY/GDOT REGIONAL TCC

Safety

Oglethorpe CR 77/WOLFSKIN ROAD FROM CR 240 TO CLARKE COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Paulding CR 467/DALLAS NEBO ROAD FROM SR 61 TO CR 472/FROG ROAD

Resurface & Maintenance

Pike CR 161/KINGS ROAD FROM SR 109 TO UPSON COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Pulaski CR 198/BURNT BRIDGE FROM SR 26 TO SR 230

Resurface & Maintenance

Rabun OLD 441 FM S OF CR 218 TO CS 514 & FM CS 501 TO SR 15/US 441

Resurface & Maintenance

Randolph CR 161/LOWER SHELLMAN FROM SR 41 TO TERRELL COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Richmond CR 1509/KEYSVILLE ROAD FROM SR 88 TO BURKE COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Screven CR 243/E OGEECHEE ST FM SR 73 TO SYLVANIA CITY LIMITS

Resurface & Maintenance

Stephens CR 538/BROOKHAVEN CIR FM CR 43/E SILVER SHOALS RD TO SR 328

Resurface & Maintenance

Tattnall CR 509/OLD HWY 250 FM SR 73/US 301 TO EVANS COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Tift CR 418/OLD UNION RD FROM SOUTHWELL BLVD TO OMEGA-ELDORADO RD

Resurface & Maintenance

Toombs CR 335/THOMPSON POND ROAD FROM SR 292 TO VIDALIA CITY LIMITS

Resurface & Maintenance

Towns CR 172/GUM LOG RD FM W OF WINCHESTER CRK RD TO BARNARD RD

Resurface & Maintenance

Troup CR 407/BARTLEY ROAD FROM SHOEMAKER ROAD TO SR 1

Resurface & Maintenance

Turner CR 249/WARWICK HWY FM E OF CR 96/OAK GROVE TO CR 94/LEE RD

Resurface & Maintenance

Twiggs CR 193/SGODA-HUBER ROAD FM SR 87 TO CR 185/RIGGINS MILL ROAD

Resurface & Maintenance

Union CR 341/OLD BLUE RIDGE HWY FM CR 117 TO LITTLE YOUNGCANE CRK

Resurface & Maintenance

Upson CR 421/BARNESVILLE ROAD FROM SR 74 TO LAMAR COUNTY LINE

Resurface & Maintenance

Warren CR 174/FIVE POINTS JEWELL ROAD FROM SR 16 TO SR 123

Resurface & Maintenance

Washington CR 446/RIDGE ROAD FROM SR 88 TO SR 15

Resurface & Maintenance

Wayne CR 392/SUNSET BLVD FROM SR 169 TO N OF SR 38/US 84

Resurface & Maintenance

White CR 68/HULSEY ROAD FROM SR 75 TO SR 11/US 129

Resurface & Maintenance

Wilkes CS 612/ANDREWS DRIVE FROM SR 17/US 78BU TO SR 47

Resurface & Maintenance

Worth CR 415/PHILLIP CAUSEY ROAD FROM SR 33 TO CR 412/SUMNER ROAD

Resurface & Maintenance

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New ACCG Report Reveals Trends in Transportation Solutions and Funding Nationwide

The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) has released a report which examines efforts by other states to increase transportation funding since 2000. This report, “Coping with Transportation Funding Deficits: A Survey of the States,” incorporates information from more than 35 states and highlights how these states are working to address transportation infrastructure investment needs through a variety of methods and revenue sources. The report identifies several trends, including the growing popularity of asking voters to approve new transportation funding that is not tied to traditional sources such as the motor fuel tax but instead is tailored to meet the specific needs of their state and local governments.

“We need to come together to find a solution that addresses both the state’s needs and allows counties and regions of counties the flexibility to meet their varied needs,” said ACCG Executive Director Jerry Griffin. “This report shows that other states are facing similar challenges and finding solutions – Georgia can do the same.”

Key findings in the report include:

· Referenda were the most frequently used method to increase transportation funding. At least 210 referenda were proposed to increase revenues for transportation since 2000, with varying levels of success. States are veering away from the traditional transportation revenue source of motor fuel taxes; instead, referenda were primarily regarding sales and property taxes, bonds and other fees.

· Many states are enabling local governments and existing or newly-defined regions to develop their own revenue generating solutions. More local tax measures (173) were proposed than any other type of referenda. In addition, 19 regional measures also were proposed. The majority (13) of these proposals included sales tax increases, and nine of them were approved.

· Most of the statewide measures that were proposed to voters were for the approval of bond projects. Fourteen of the seventeen statewide ballot measures were for bond approvals.

· Many state legislatures are taking direct action to increase transportation funding. Six states increased the motor fuel tax. Twelve raised fees, primarily vehicle registration fees, and three enabled their largest metropolitan regions to levy sales taxes for transportation.

The report inventories specific proposals at the local, regional and state level, and includes the purpose for which the funds were proposed. It also includes additional information on legislation enacted by state legislatures.

“Our primary purpose in developing this report was to assist Georgia’s policymakers by providing them with a comprehensive overview of legislative strategies used by other states,” said Matthew Hicks, ACCG Associate Policy Director for Economic Development and Transportation. “We learned that there is no single answer to transportation funding. States are developing solutions to meet their specific needs and empowering local governments with the tools necessary to address their own transportation challenges.”

ACCG is a strong proponent of investing in transportation infrastructure in Georgia to achieve state transportation goals and to provide consistent funding for transportation projects at the local level. ACCG has actively worked with the Governor’s Office, state legislators, the Department of Transportation and state transportation authorities and others including the Get Georgia Moving Coalition to meet the needs of all Georgians.

The “Coping with Transportation Funding Deficits” report was compiled using information from several organizations that track transportation funding and finance, including the Center for Transportation Excellence, a non-partisan policy research center created to serve the needs of communities and transportation organizations nationwide, and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). In addition, ACCG staff conducted informal surveys of 27 states via phone and email interviews, as well as Internet searches. The complete report is available at www.accg.org.
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Governor Perdue Certifies $8.6 Million in Transportation Projects

Governor Sonny Perdue announced Thursday that he has submitted the required “1511 Certification” on three transportation projects that will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“These funds include needed intersection improvements and bridge repairs,” said Governor Perdue. “We are using these federal dollars to improve our transportation network and to put Georgians to work.”

For more information visit Georgia DOT’s stimulus website at www.dot.state.ga.us/gastimulus .
The list of projects is below:

County
Description
Work Type
Total Funding

Cook
SR 7/US 41 @ Giddens Mill Creek in North Adel
Bridges
$4,263,368

Pierce
SR 203/Strickland Street @ CR 309/Old Alma Road
Intersection Improvement
$2,364,863

Pike
SR 18/SR 109 and SR 74 Intersection Improvement
Intersection Improvement
$2,000,000

Grand Total

$8,628,231
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Governor Perdue Dedicates Parkway, Rail Projects

Projects in Appling, Wayne counties vital to economic development in region

Governor Sonny Perdue joined local officials today to celebrate the completion of two transportation infrastructure projects designed to improve the mobility of people and products in the region.

Governor Perdue cut the ribbon on the Brunswick-to-Perry Golden Isles Parkway in Appling County which links the port of Brunswick to Middle Georgia with a continuous four-lane highway. The Governor also dedicated a new railroad passing siding on Norfolk-Southern's 183-mile track between Macon and Brunswick, the second big enhancement of rail traffic to and from the Port of Brunswick.

“Georgia continues to attract industry because business leaders understand quick and efficient movement of goods is a key to success,” said Governor Perdue. “These kinds of upgrades in our transportation network will ensure safer travel for tourists, better access for industries and improved connectivity in this area of the state.”

Formed in 2006, the 341 Alliance is comprised of development authority and chamber of commerce professionals from each of the eight counties that front Hwy 341 between Perry and Brunswick. Specifically, Houston, Pulaski, Dodge, Telfair, Jeff Davis, Appling, Wayne and Glynn counties are involved. Acknowledging the importance of the corridor to future economic development endeavors, the Alliance has been a strong advocate for completion of the four lane project.

The full widening of U.S. 341/Golden Isles Parkway now provides travelers with a direct four-lane route from I-75 in Middle Georgia to I-95 along the Georgia coast. Beginning north of Perry in Culloden and stretching to the Port of Brunswick, the Parkway runs through the heart of many small towns that are vital to the economies of middle and southeast Georgia. The expansion of the Parkway is expected to benefit future tourism development and industry recruitment efforts in this part of Georgia.

The Southeast Georgia Joint Development Authority and Norfolk Southern worked together to build a passing siding on the line that runs between Macon and Brunswick serving the Port of Brunswick. The Southeast Georgia Joint Development Authority was chartered in March 2005 and consists of six counties: Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, McIntosh, and Wayne. The current rail configuration was known to cause three hour delays as one train had to wait on another to clear the tracks. This system had the largest negative impact on unit trains with 60-75 cars carrying the same commodity and traveling nonstop.

The railroad passing siding on Norfolk-Southern's 183-mile track between Macon and Brunswick is the second big enhancement of rail traffic to and from the Port of Brunswick. The first came in September 2006 with the opening of Overton Junction, a 7,500-foot connecting track between CSX Transportation and Norfolk-Southern lines north of Brunswick. Previously, trains from the railroads had to go all the way into Brunswick and switch cars in two separate yards.
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Sumter: Georgia DOT Announces SR 27 Stimulus Project

The Georgia Department of Transportation announces an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus resurfacing project on SR 27 in Sumter County has been awarded to Reeves Construction Company for $1,152,401.50. This project has tentatively been scheduled to start on Sunday, July 26 at 7 p.m., weather permitting.

This 4.266 mile project will include milling, inlay and plant mix resurfacing on SR 27 from SR 30/SR 7 extending to US 19/SR 3 and also on SR 27 beginning at US 19/SR 3and extending to SR 30/SR 27 in the City of Americus. Motorists will encounter lane closures throughout this project; however, there will be no lane closures between the hours of 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday through Saturday. This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of December.

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Coweta: Exit 41 Off-Ramp Temporarily Closed Beginning July 21

WHAT: The Exit 41(SR 14/US27 Alt) off-ramp from Interstate 85 northbound will be temporarily closed in order for crews to pave the remaining lanes of the mainline and the ramp taper from I-85.

WHEN: Tuesday, July 21, beginning at midnight continuously until 6 a.m.

WHERE: Exit 41(SR 14/US27 Alt) off-ramp from Interstate 85 northbound

Motorists will be detoured to Exit 47 (SR 34) to exit I-85 northbound and then directed back to SR 14/US 27 Alt. Signed detour routes will be in place. Motorists are advised to anticipate delays and to avoid travel near this area of I-85.

This is a WORK ZONE and extreme caution is required. Speed limits have been reduced and will be strictly enforced. Message boards, signs, barricades, barrels and cones will be utilized to alert, and channel motorists through the area. Drivers should be aware that personnel and equipment will be operating in close proximity to travel lanes.
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Bibb: Traffic Shift on I-75 and I-475 Near Hartley Bridge Road

The Georgia Department of Transportation announces plans to shift northbound traffic on Interstates 75 and 475 on Thursday, July 9, near Exit 155 (Hartley Bridge Road).

Beginning at 9 p.m. Thursday, July 9 until 7 a.m. Friday, July 10, motorists should expect the following lane shifts to be in place:
the current I-75 northbound (NB) traffic will be shifted to the left (approximately 48 feet) onto the newly paved lanes
the off-ramp on I-75 NB to Hartley Bridge Road will shift north slightly in order to complete the new ramp
the new exit from I-75 NB to I-475 NB will be opened to traffic
the entrance ramps from Hartley Bridge Road to I-75 NB and I-475 NB will be changed to reflect final configuration

The Georgia DOT notes that the above construction schedules are proposed activities planned by the contractors and may change due to weather conditions or other factors.

Motorists will utilize these lanes for approximately 6 months while construction is completed on the new lanes. As in any work zone, motorists are reminded to pay special attention to traffic control devices, signs and posted speed limits to ensure safe passage through the work zone.
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Governor Announces New Design for Georgia Licenses, IDs

More secure features; harder to fake; and vertical license for under 21

Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is preparing to issue new and improved driver’s licenses and identification cards by fall 2009. The new cards will combat document fraud and protect the identities of Georgia’s citizens by using the latest credentialing technology.

“Everyone knows all we have done to reduce lines and waits at driver’s license centers, but another key priority of the department is safeguarding the identities of Georgia citizens and preventing document fraud,” said Governor Perdue. “These new cards will be the most secure our state has ever issued.”

New card production will begin at Conyers, Covington and Locust Grove in September 2009. Statewide implementation of the new system is scheduled to take approximately two months with all customer service center locations producing the new cards by the end of November 2009. All previously issued Georgia licenses and IDs will remain valid until the expiration date when they will be exchanged for a newly-designed card.

“We are very excited about these innovative changes allowing Georgians to have one of the most secure cards in the nation,” said Gregory C. Dozier, DDS Commissioner. “It is a bright and modern card that our customers will be proud to carry.”

The new documents are designed to be more difficult to counterfeit, alter or replicate. The license will remain roughly the size of a credit card. The new cards have several security features including ghost photos, a laser-engraved signature over the primary photo to minimize alterations and a tamper resistant coating placed over the card. The cards will feature machine-readable barcodes that can be used by banks, retailers and other businesses to verify the information printed on the front.

Fees will not increase, and customers will continue to choose between a five-year or ten-year license or ID.

“Under 21”

A major security feature of the new process is designed to combat underage drinking. Cards issued to those “Under 21” will be printed in a vertical format, aiding retailers and law enforcement in identifying minors.

Interim

Another new security practice will be the issuance of an interim driver’s license or ID. Interim documents will be printed on special security paper which is highly sensitive and will discolor after any attempt to alter it. It contains a photo and signature to allow its use for identification purposes. Interim cards will be valid for up to 45 days or until a permanent laminated license or ID is mailed from the central production print facility to the applicant’s mailing address on file with DDS.

Permanent License/ID

The permanent licenses and IDs will be mailed directly to the customer on a mailing carrier that is folded and enclosed in a generic envelope without exposing the actual cards. When the permanent card is received, the interim should be destroyed in accordance with Georgia law and to safeguard personal information. The carrier should be filed by the customer to access later should their license be lost or stolen.

Customer Service Improvements

The new licensing system includes a new data management system with electronic imaging to scan documents where they may be securely stored and easily accessed later. DDS has taken great care in safeguarding our customer’s private information. Each customer’s personal information becomes a part of the personal driver’s license record. It will remain confidential and is disclosed only as authorized or required by law.

When visiting DDS in person, a more efficient one-window-process provides customers with a “one-stop shopping” experience at most locations eliminating the need to visit multiple windows.

If a transaction can not be completed once begun, data can be filed and stored until the required information is presented to complete the service. A customer may visit another location where the stored information may be quickly accessed.

New state-of-the-art equipment will be installed including modern computer and photography equipment and printers that will be faster and more reliable.

For more information, please visit http://www.dds.ga.gov/.

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Governor Names Todd Long as DOT Planning Director

Position created by Senate Bill 200

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that he is appointing Todd Long as the Director of Planning for the Georgia Department of Transportation. The position was created by the General Assembly this spring with the passage of Senate Bill 200.

“Todd’s qualifications and knowledge of the DOT planning process make him the perfect candidate to take on this new role,” said Governor Perdue. “I think all Georgians want a statewide transportation plan based on our needs that provides value for our tax dollars, and we are taking a big step in that direction today.”

Governor Perdue also congratulated State Rep. Vance Smith on his appointment today as DOT Commissioner.

“We have worked closely with Rep. Smith over the years, during his service as an Administration Floor Leader and as Chairman of the House Transportation Committee,” the Governor said. “I look forward to working closely with the new commissioner and the new planning director as we address the transportation needs across the state.”

Since August, Long has served as the director of all engineering, IT and business-related projects for the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority. Before that, he spent 18 years in various positions at the DOT, including serving as division director for the both the preconstruction and administration divisions. He spent seven years at the District One office in Gainesville, rising to the position of District Engineer, managing all DOT activities in Northeast Georgia. He is a registered professional engineer and a registered professional traffic operations engineer.

Long has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in civil engineering – transportation, both from Georgia Tech. Todd lives in Lilburn with his wife Kelli and four children: Drew, Evan, Jack and Rachel.
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