COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Law enforcement officers from Georgia and four neighboring states kicked off the 35th Annual 'Hands Across the Border' enforcement campaign on Sunday night. 

According to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, law enforcement officers from Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and South Carolina collaborate each year to prioritize safer driving conditions by reducing drunk, drugged and distracted driving. 

Georgia law enforcement conducting sobriety checks on 13th Street Sunday night as part of the 'Hands Across the Border' campaign.
Georgia law enforcement conducting sobriety checks on 13th Street Sunday night as part of the 'Hands Across the Border' campaign.
Georgia law enforcement conducting sobriety checks on 13th Street Sunday night as part of the 'Hands Across the Border' campaign.
Georgia law enforcement conducting sobriety checks on 13th Street Sunday night as part of the 'Hands Across the Border' campaign.

"Why 'Hands Across the Border?' We're all together. We want all law enforcement in each state, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia, to all be partners in the mission of saving lives on our highways," said Director of Law Enforcement Services for Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety Roger Hayes.

Georgia law enforcement officers gathered at Victory Mission Church on Sunday evening for a time of training, fellowship and awards before they took to the streets of Columbus to conduct sobriety checks, enforcing a safer driving environment. 

Georgia law enforcement meeting at Victory Mission Church for training, a meal and awards before conducting sobriety checks.
Georgia law enforcement meeting at Victory Mission Church for training, a meal and awards before conducting sobriety checks.
Georgia law enforcement meeting at Victory Mission Church for training, a meal and awards before conducting sobriety checks.
Georgia law enforcement meeting at Victory Mission Church for training, a meal and awards before conducting sobriety checks.

Law enforcement officials say the initiative started back in 1991 when southeast Georgia and northeast Florida state troopers challenged each other to see which law enforcement agency could lower the number of drunk and drugged driving-related deaths in their state through enhanced enforcement.

35 years later, the initiative has remained an ongoing effort to ensure citizens' safety on the roadways.

Georgia law enforcement conducting sobriety checks on 13th Street Sunday night as part of the 'Hands Across the Border' campaign.
Georgia law enforcement conducting sobriety checks on 13th Street Sunday night as part of the 'Hands Across the Border' campaign.
Georgia law enforcement conducting sobriety checks on 13th Street Sunday night as part of the 'Hands Across the Border' campaign.
Georgia law enforcement conducting sobriety checks on 13th Street Sunday night as part of the 'Hands Across the Border' campaign.
Georgia law enforcement conducting sobriety checks on 13th Street Sunday night as part of the 'Hands Across the Border' campaign.
Georgia law enforcement conducting sobriety checks on 13th Street Sunday night as part of the 'Hands Across the Border' campaign.

Hayes continued, "For us, we don't want to have to go knock on that door. We don't want these law enforcement officers behind me to have to go tell a family, 'hey, your loved one, your friend, your family, your coworker was killed in a crash."

Deputy Director in the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Maurice Raines, emphasized the one goal of the campaign.

"We're trying to save lives. If this message, if this event saves one life, then we've done our job. The goal is to save lives. No one should die while driving. The goal is everyday if we save a life, that's one more person that'll be at the holiday table when everybody gets together with the family," Raines said.

Sheriff Greg Countryman with the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office shared the importance of fellowship as law enforcement officers shared a meal together before kicking off the campaign Sunday night.

Georgia law enforcement meeting at Victory Mission Church for training, a meal and awards before conducting sobriety checks.
Georgia law enforcement meeting at Victory Mission Church for training, a meal and awards before conducting sobriety checks.
Georgia law enforcement meeting at Victory Mission Church for training, a meal and awards before conducting sobriety checks.
Georgia law enforcement meeting at Victory Mission Church for training, a meal and awards before conducting sobriety checks.
Georgia law enforcement meeting at Victory Mission Church for training, a meal and awards before conducting sobriety checks.
Georgia law enforcement meeting at Victory Mission Church for training, a meal and awards before conducting sobriety checks.

"This is always a good thing. A lot of our guys from Columbus and Muscogee County Sheriff's Office, our officers and deputies break bread on a regular basis. It means something for them to be able to break bread, to encourage one another, find out what's happening . . . and so it's a good place for them to just fellowship and sort of just let their hair down," Countryman said.

While 'Hands Across the Border' kicked off right here in Columbus, the campaign will run all week long throughout the state of Georgia.

Law enforcement will continue to conduct sobriety checks and enforce their campaign in Ringgold on Monday, Augusta on Tuesday, Savannah on Wednesday and Kingsland on Thursday.

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