GWINNETT COUNTY — The Gwinnett County Police Department is increasing traffic enforcement across the county this summer in response to a sharp rise in fatal crashes.
Operation Summer Brake, which runs from June 1 through Aug. 5, is one of the department’s largest and longest traffic enforcement initiatives. The campaign uses crash data and citizen complaints to identify high-risk areas where officers will focus enforcement efforts.
According to Gwinnett police, the department recorded a 31% increase in motor vehicle fatalities during the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
“That’s very alarming,” Gwinnett police Cpl. Angela Carter said. “That was the motivation for Operation Summer Brake.”
The department’s planning and research section identified 25 traffic hotspots throughout the county based on fatal crash data and resident complaints.
Officers participating in the operation will target violations that police say contribute most to serious and fatal crashes, including speeding, reckless and aggressive driving, driving under the influence, unsafe lane changes and distracted driving.
During a recent traffic stop, Sgt. Brett Shirley reminded a driver that Georgia’s hands-free law prohibits motorists from holding a cellphone while driving.
“The reason I’m stopping you is when I passed by you in traffic, you had your cellphone down in your lap in both hands,” Shirley told the driver.
He encouraged motorists to place their phones in a dashboard mount or center console before driving.
“Put it up in your cellphone holder or down in the center console or something like that,” Shirley said. “It’s going to be going all summer long.”
Police are also increasing staffing for the initiative by assigning 20 additional off-duty officers to work overtime each day throughout the county. Carter said the additional staffing will not affect response times for regular calls for service because the officers are working outside their normal shifts.
Officials said drivers should expect to see increased traffic stops throughout the summer as officers work to reduce crashes and improve roadway safety.
