The Savannah Police Department (SPD) has received a grant of $193,771.60 aimed at controlling aggressive driving and enforcing DUI laws, known as the Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (H.E.A.T) grant.

According to SPD, there has been a reduction in serious injuries and fatalities over the past year involving drivers under the influence. They attribute this decline partly to the efforts of the H.E.A.T unit and the support provided by this grant.

Corporal Gregory Brocinski, from the SPD H.E.A.T unit, noted, “Being one of 26 teams across the state to receive this grant is significant for Savannah.”

Brocinski said the grant money will also go towards educational programs.

Brocinski explained, “We engage with schools to instill the right driving mindset in young individuals and educate them on the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. We conduct alcohol safety workshops and provide Vision Zero goggles, also known as ‘drunk goggles,’ to simulate impairment.”

Uber and Lyft help alleviate the high number of DUI’s issued in the city of Savannah.

He emphasized that “alcohol is easily accessible, and young people face peer pressure to drink. Inexperience behind the wheel combined with alcohol or drugs, which are also a growing concern, leads to impairment without the necessary driving experience.”

SPD has successfully secured the H.E.A.T grant previously, as part of a 5-year program. They will need to reapply when the program concludes in its fifth year.