This series contains original and copied material that pertains to the administration of the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The majority of the records are unbound and reflect the high priority the department had assigned to highway safety. The records in this series include but are not limited to: 1) correspondence and memoranda 2) traffic safety and fatality reports 3) reports to the Governor 4) budget, planning and development documents 5) various questionnaires on law enforcement techniques 6) drawings and plans for the Aviation Patrol Unit. The DPS is administered by a Commissioner who is appointed by the Board of Public Safety and approved by the Governor. The DPS is under the authority of the Public Safety Board, which was created in 1972 under the Executive Reorganization Act. In 1974 the Legislature separated the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) (formerly known as the Division of Investigation) from the DPS and established it as another department within the executive branch. Also in 1974, the functions of the Georgia Crime Information Center were transferred from the DPS to the GBI, making the DPS primarily a highway safety enforcement agency. Apart from its enforcement of highway safety laws, the DPS regulates the licensure of motorists and controls the issuance, suspense, revocation, and cancellation of driver licenses. The agency also supports public safety programs, and assists local and federal government agencies, similarly entrusted with the protection of the life and property of Georgia's citizens. In 1971 a preliminary review of executive departments was conducted. The DPS was among the agencies reviewed. The researcher may see RGSGSERIES 1-15-70, Governor's Office, Preliminary Agency Review Summary Files, for more information.