The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) has kicked off its “100 Days of Summer HEAT” initiative along with its annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign.

The Georgia State Patrol-Griffin Post will be among the state’s law enforcement agencies diligently working throughout the summer months to enforce traffic laws, which is the intent of the two GOHS initiatives.

“There will random road checks throughout our territory all summer,” said Trooper 1st Class J.T. McMillan. “We also will be looking for intoxicated drivers and reckless drivers during the vacation season.”

McMillan also said motorists should be mindful of two new laws. One already in effect — the ‘Super Speeder’ law — and the second, a revision to the state’s seat belt law pertaining to pickup truck occupants, will also be actively enforced.

The ‘Super Speeder’ law pertains to motorists who are “convicted of driving at a speed of 85 miles per hour or more on any road or highway or 75 miles per hour or more on any two-lane road or highway.” In addition to whatever fines local jurisdictions may impose in such cases, the state will now also levy an additional $200 fine.

Senate Bill 458, which is awaiting Governor Sonny Perdue’s signature, will require pickup truck drivers and passengers to wear seat belts on public roadways.

According to Perdue’s Director of Communications Bert Brantley, the governor is expected to sign SB 458 into law no later than June 8.

“He has indicated publicly that he is supportive of the bill,” Brantley said, adding that when Perdue signs the bill, it will immediately be enforcable.

“The way the bill reads is that it will take effect ‘upon the signature of the governor,’” he said.

“It is our desire and hope that our efforts in educating the public and enforcing the seat belt law will save lives,” McMillan said. “This will be an intensive effort this summer by all law enforcement and the Georgia State Patrol.”