COVINGTON, Ga. - The Newton County Sheriff’s Office H.E.A.T unit and traffic unit would like to inform citizens who are traveling during this Thanksgiving and holiday period to buckle their seatbelts, obey speeding laws and please do not text while driving. 

The H.E.A.T unit at the request of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is participating in Operation Click it or Ticket. So far this year, 1,348 people have died in crashes in Georgia. Of those, 59 percent were not buckled. 

The H.E.A.T unit will be showing heavy focus on seatbelt enforcement and child restraint violations during the Thanksgiving travel period. Additionally, all HEAT Deputies will be working on Thanksgiving day and Black Friday. 

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that proper seatbelt use reduces the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45 percent and the risk of moderate to serious injury by 50 percent. 

NCSO wishes everyone safe travels and a happy Thanksgiving.