BRUNSWICK, Ga. —
State troopers and other law enforcement officers in Georgia are being assigned to brush up on their driving skills after a spate of crashes.
State officials have grown so concerned about the number of accidents caused by emergency vehicles they are instating a mandatory training program, The Brunswick News reported (http://bit.ly/ROZIsv ).
Georgia State Patrol troopers will start receiving annual, four-hour driving courses this month.
Statewide, there were 2,475 crashes involving on-duty officers in 2011, resulting in three deaths and 386 people being injured, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
In the Brunswick area, Glynn County Police Chief Matt Doering said his agency has already initiated an annual refresher program. There have been 15 crashes involving county officers so far this year, with the police found at fault in nine of them.
“Improper backing is one common factor, for instance. It is an area where training has and will help,” Doering said. “I plan to continue training in all areas to improve safety for officers and citizens alike.”
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Information from: The Brunswick News, http://www.thebrunswicknews.com
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