Local texting & driving operation yields 125 stops on first morning

Within minutes of the commencement of the morning commute Thursday, social media was inundated with “warnings” and “alerts” of what some say was a “sting” operation.

“Major sting in Statesboro today. Texting and driving tickets are being handed out left and right. Unmarked cars. Pass the word. It’s a $142 ticket btw.”

But it is simply a new operation launched by the regional law enforcement agencies.

The Statesboro Police Department, in conjunction with the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol Post 45, launched an initiative this morning for a “Distracted Driving Awareness Initiative.” The BCSO reports that the initiative is “targeted at awareness and will continue indefinitely.”

In a press release, the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office reported that over 125 traffic stops were made in Bulloch County alone with regard to distracted driving violations.

The press release also stated that Sheriff Brown would like to “encourage drivers to pay attention to the roadway while in control of a vehicle. DISTRACTED DRIVING is defined as “Any activity that takes your attention away from the roadway.” This includes, but is not limited to, eating, brushing your hair, turning to check on children, smoking, talking on the phone, and especially texting while driving.”

Some members of the public have complained at the use of unmarked vehicles for the purposes of these traffic stops. The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a press conference at 1:30 P.M. Thursday and more information will be available after that time.