July 14, 2026

Operation ‘Southern Slow Down’ starts in Alabama, 4 Other States

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

July 14, 2026

ALABAMA Once again this year, law enforcement agencies across the south are participating in “Operation Southern Slow Down,” a multi-state speed enforcement and awareness campaign, begins Monday and will run through July 19.

The announcement of the operation is one that many are familiar with and welcome.

This is the ninth annual initiative involving law enforcement agencies in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. It aims to prevent crashes and save lives by addressing speeding and reckless driving during the summer travel season.

Alabama troopers have already participated in statewide operations to slow drivers down, curb reckless and careless driving and to apprehend drunk drivers.

“The goal for ‘Operation Southern Slow Down’ is not to write tickets but to get more drivers to see that traveling at slower and safer speeds prevents families and friends from losing loved ones in crashes that are preventable,” said Allen Poole, Director of the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

“Operation Southern Slow Down” first began in 2017 when regional highway safety leaders sought to reduce crashes and save lives by highlighting the danger speeding poses to all roadway users.

In 2025, the campaign saw more than 490 law enforcement agencies in the five states issue 52,990 citations and warnings for speeding.

The week-long enforcement also resulted in more than 1,440 arrests for driving under the influence, 2,230 warnings and citations for reckless driving and more than 3,000 citations and warnings for violating distracted driving laws.

In many areas, sheriff deputies and local police also team up with state law enforcement during this campaign.

In Georgia alone, state and local law enforcement made more than 13,290 speeding contacts with drivers during the 2025 “Operation Southern Slow Down” campaign.

In Alabama, police will be focusing on some of the major interstates including I-10, I-65, I-20, and I-59.

Speed limits are in place to protect everyone traveling on our roads and highways and enforcement of speeding and all traffic laws have proven to save lives in our region and nation.

In 2025, more than 230 law enforcement agencies in Georgia also made 501 driving under the influence arrests.

Additionally, they issued more than 1,875 warnings and citations for violating the state’s hands-free law and more than 2,470 citations and warnings for failing to obey Georgia’s seat belt law..

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that almost 30% of the nation’s traffic fatalities in 2024 involved speeding.

Expect an increased presence of troopers and local officers monitoring for excessive speeds, tailgating, and reckless driving, with strict crackdowns on those driving over 100 mph.

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