Josh Green, Staff Writer

Atlanta – Gwinnett —

DULUTH — If Interstate 85 commuters find the image of a wrecked car hugging a tree unsettling — well, that’s the idea.

A highly visual billboard — replete with police and firefighters racing to the accident scene — was unveiled this week near Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, representing a collaboration between local law enforcement, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Gwinnett Safe Kids and businesses who want to impart this unwavering message:

“Just drive!!!! Don’t gamble with your life.”

It’s all part of Operation Drive Smart, an initiative funded by the state and managed by Duluth police that teaches an annual 20,000 Georgia high school students the importance of prudent driving.

Duluth officers will visit 15 high schools statewide to spread the message this year, and the billboard’s an extension of that message to all drivers, said Duluth police Lt. Bill Stevens, the Drive Smart program leader.

“This billboard will send a clear message to thousands of drivers daily,” Stevens said.

Lamar Advertising supplied the sign space gratis, and Willard’s Wrecker Service provided the smashed vehicle for the billboard photo, Stevens said.

Police and firefighters from the county level joined Duluth police to make the photo realistic, and “without spending a dime of tax dollars,” Stevens said.

“This project is a win-win, if only the driving public will heed the message,” he said.

The next local Operation Drive Smart event is scheduled Thursday at Central Gwinnett High School. For more information, call Duluth police Lt. Bill Stevens at 770-329-8514.

GwinnettDailyPost.com