Welcome to the latest edition of the

TIME Task Force Quarterly Newsletter!

As traffic incident management (TIM) professionals, we all share in the responsibility of safe and efficient roadway clearance to minimize the impact on emergency responders and the motoring public. The Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) Task Force is committed to maintaining a platform for members to develop common operational strategies and a better understanding of other agencies’ roles and responsibilities, continuing the dialogue on ways to improve inter-agency coordination and cooperation, and creating an opportunity for multi-agency training that promotes teamwork.

In this issue of the TIME Task Force Quarterly Newsletter, we will look back on 2023 highlights, upcoming Q1 2024 TIM campaigns, winter weather TIM safety, and much more. As always, we thank you for your dedication and commitment to TIM throughout the state of Georgia. We encourage you to keep your safety, and that of your colleagues and the motoring public, at the top of your mind.

Thank you to all our first responders who worked this past holiday season!

The roads can get packed as travelers make their way across the state to be with family and friends during the holiday season. Police, fire, emergency medical services, dispatchers, Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO), Coordinated Highway Assistance & Maintenance Program (CHAMP), and others helped thousands of motorists across Georgia with matters ranging from minor car issues to serious crashes. While stores might close for the holidays, first responders are always on-call. Thank you for your dedication to safety and community!

The new year is here, and we are looking forward to a safe 2024, including making sure our first responders go home to their families after every shift. Please remember to be vigilant when working incidents and drive slowly whenever you see flashing lights on an emergency vehicle.

The TIME Task Force hopes you enjoyed reading the quarterly newsletters throughout the year! There have been some great highlights and events featured in 2023, and we want to continue sharing great content for you, the TIME Task Force community, in the future. If you have any ideas, feedback, or suggestions for the newsletter in 2024, please fill out this survey by clicking the button below. We would really appreciate it!

View a recap of the in-person meeting below:

January 9 marked Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD), on January 9, 2024, is a significant day dedicated to the men and women in law enforcement who risk their lives to keep our communities safe. Their unwavering commitment to public safety and coordination to work with members of the first responder community is greatly appreciated by all who have crossed their paths. LEAD provides a platform to recognize their selflessness and express our heartfelt appreciation for the vital role they play in our state.

The TIME Task Force recognizes this day and our members of law enforcement in Georgia. We thank them for their support to TIM, TIM Team meetings, SHRP2 training, and more. Law enforcement is a critical part of the TIME Task Force and we are grateful for their 24/7 services to the public. As we reflect on their importance, we extend our deepest appreciation to these unsung heroes who work tirelessly to ensure our safety and peace of mind.

As the winter season unfolds, TIM professionals face unique challenges. In this quarter's newsletter, we aim to provide essential winter safety tips to help your teams to operate effectively and safely during the winter season:

• Prioritize Personal Safety: Equip team members with winter gear and maintain visibility with reflective vests and functioning flashlights.
• Enhanced Communication Protocols: Establish redundant communication channels and regularly test equipment to overcome potential weather-related communication issues.
• Vehicle Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain vehicles, ensuring winter tires are in place and all personnel are trained for safe winter driving.
• Weather Monitoring: Stay vigilant by monitoring real-time weather updates to anticipate and prepare for adverse conditions.
• Training and Simulation: Conduct regular winter-specific training exercises to enhance your team's ability to respond effectively.
• Incident Scene Management: Clearly define roles and responsibilities within the team to efficiently manage incidents during winter weather.

By implementing these winter safety tips, you can be well-equipped to maintain the safety of Georgia’s roadways during the winter.

Marketing for Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) was a success! This year, the TIME Task Force participated in the national responder awareness campaign held November 13-17, and celebrated TIM Day in Georgia on November 14, 2023, as proclaimed by Governor Brian Kemp. Stories about the Move Over Law and how motorists can keep crash responders safe at incident scenes and interviews from Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and CHAMP were shared along with posts and articles on social media and the website.

Take a look at the Governor’s Proclamation below:

Many thanks to Captain Michael Burns of the Georgia Department of Public Safety and CHAMP Operator Condon Callahan for participating in TIME Task Force’s initiatives for CRSW. View their interviews below:

Our goal is to inform you and the public about TIM and driving safety, and that’s why marketing matters! You might be aware of some of our campaigns and what is on our social media feeds, but in case you missed it, here is a recap of some of what we shared about in Q4.

Top highlights from Q4 include:

• Pedestrian Safety Month
• National Teen Driver Safety Week
• Halloween Impaired Driving Awareness
• Crash Responder Safety Week
• Traffic Incident Management Day
• Thanksgiving Holiday Traffic Forecast Period
• Winter Driving Safety
• National Drunk and Drug Impaired Driving Prevention Month
• Winter End-of-year Holidays Traffic Forecast Period

Some other initiatives and items created during the year include:

• Updated the TIME Task Force website with the new logo and incorporated changes from the 2022 audit workshop to improve the design and functionality of the website
• Prepared and distributed promotional materials and announcements along with event graphics for the Executive Briefing Breakfast
• Designed new TIME Task Force flyer for use at events, meetings, and conferences, and created recap videos to share with members after quarterly meetings

Top viewed YouTube video

Top Facebook post

Top X (formerly Twitter) post

We regularly share content to help inform the public about traffic safety, various laws impacting motorists and first responders, and how to protect fellow motorists and citizens. It’s been a busy quarter for traffic safety and transportation campaigns, and we have shared quite a bit on our social media platforms and website. Some notable campaigns include Pedestrian Safety Month, Crash Responder Safety Week, and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over for the Winter Holidays. There are a few posts on the website related to the campaigns and initiatives from the past quarter, and you can read them here.

Check out our social media channels to view more of this content.

Take a look at some of the major campaigns below:

October

• Pedestrian Safety Month
• National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 15 – 21)
• Halloween Safety (October 31)

November

• National Crash Responder Safety Week (November 13-17)
• Thanksgiving Safety
• Blackout Wednesday (November 22)

December

• National Drunk and Drug Impaired Driving Prevention Month
• Christmas Safety
• New Years Eve Safety
• Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Upcoming National Campaigns in Q1 2024

The first quarter of 2024 features a few notable traffic safety campaigns, including Super Bowl LVIII Impaired Driving in February, Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, and St. Patrick’s Day Impaired Driving in March. Stay tuned to our social media platforms for content related to these campaigns during this quarter.

Get involved in our TIM community by exploring upcoming events at timetaskforce.com/events. Here's a look into what's coming up:

• TIM Team Meetings: Join responders and TIM-related stakeholders to analyze local TIM trends, tackle challenges, and explore solutions. Dive into TIM best practices with presentations from transportation experts and network to enhance responder safety skills.
• SHRP2 Training: Elevate your TIM skills with hands-on training, including simulated crashes and spills. Collaborate with your colleagues to sharpen your response strategies in the field.
• Quarterly Meetings: Join fellow TIME Task Force members to discuss programs, training, events, and other TIME Task Force happenings, and hear industry experts speak about topics from the TIM community.
• 2024 TIME Task Force Conference: Save the Date! The TIME Task Force’s 2024 conference will take place on October 14-16, 2024, in Athens, Georgia.

Don't miss out on these valuable opportunities to advance your skills and contribute to safer roads. View our calendar to stay updated and engaged with the TIME Task Force community.

Does your agency have interest in joining the TIME Task Force? Being part of the TIME Task Force is easy and free! Agencies, departments, and businesses can join by signing the Georgia Open Roads Policy, thereby making the commitment to support quick clearance and scene safety/management that helps keep travelers moving and responders safe. Once you are a member, you can join in on quarterly meetings and attend our annual conference. Please visit this link to download the Open Roads Policy, read more information, and join us today. We would love to have you!

Notable achievements in TIM around Georgia needed - we want to hear from you!



Hey first responders and public officials! Did your city, county, or agency implement a unique innovation or technology in TIM or have any notable achievements in the past year that you would like to share? We want to hear from you! Please share a brief synopsis of your topic to [email protected], and we will get back with you to gather more details. Your achievements could help inspire other agencies!

Find a TIM Team Near You!



Did you know the TIME Task Force has about 51 active TIM teams across Georgia in 2023? This impressive number makes Georgia the state with the most teams nationwide recognized by the Federal Highway Administration!

There are currently four TIM areas and 15 regional TIM teams throughout those areas. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in joining one of our TIM teams, hosting a meeting, or being a TIM champion in your area.

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