Mission
The mission of the Traffic Investigations Unit is to solve traffic safety problems through partnerships with our citizens and other agencies.
The Traffic Unit is made up of highly trained and proactive officers dedicated to the prevention of traffic accidents. Traffic Officers also provide funeral escorts, dignitary escorts and traffic control and coordination for special events like parades and demonstrations.
How does the Traffic Unit Accomplish their Mission?
The Traffic Unit focuses on education by informing the public of contemporary issues affecting public safety. The Traffic Unit utilizes engineering via its relationship with the City of Savannah and Chatham County Traffic Engineering departments, the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
The Traffic Unit also uses enforcement of traffic laws and high visibility patrol as a means to gain voluntary compliance with the rules of the road.
Training
Traffic Unit Officers are required to complete a rigorous traffic enforcement/collision investigation course. All Traffic Unit Officers must keep their RADAR, LIDAR and other certifications current.
Traffic Unit Officers also routinely train newly hired SPD officers in accident investigations and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.
Traffic Investigation Unit (TIU)
The Traffic Investigation Unit (TIU) investigates all traffic-related fatalities and any collision that results in serious injury or extensive property damage.
TIU investigators document and investigate all forms of evidence, including roadway dimensions, skid data, witness/victim statements, suspect interviews, etc.
Equipment and Personnel
The Traffic Unit consists of 16 Sworn Officers and 1 civilian and is equipped with the latest in advanced enforcement and collision tools available to include:
- Harley Davidson Motorcycles
- Alco-Sensor portable alcohol screening devices
- Window tint meters
- Accident Reconstruction Total Station
- SMART Signs
- Stealth radar devices
Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (H.E.A.T.)
The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and local law enforcement agencies have come together to create H.E.A.T — Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic — to combat impaired and aggressive drivers.
- The Problem: Aggressive traffic (a term that includes speeding and impaired driving) is one of the leading causes of crashes that result in serious injuries and fatalities on the roadways of Georgia.
- The Solution: H.E.A.T. is a multi-jurisdictional task force specifically-designed to combat aggressive traffic across Georgia.
Equipment and Personnel
The H.E.A.T. Unit consists of three full-time officers and three H.E.A.T. vehicles. The GOHS awarded a grant to the Savannah Police Department to cover the expenses of two officers. The City of Savannah will continue to provide a grant match to finance a third officers and expenses within the unit.
The Traffic Unit is commanded by:
Lt. Torrance Garvin
(912) 525-2421
