Nashville, Tennessee --- The Tennessee Highway Patrol is working to reduce the number of traffic fatalities in the state with the help of a federal grant administered through the Governor's Highway Safety Office. The Strike Three Program targets young drivers who drink and drive and/or fail to wear seat belts.

Statistics show that of all drivers under age 18 who were involved in fatal crashes, 25 percent of known test results indicated the presence of alcohol. Tennessee Department of Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips said , "To remind young people to obey the laws, we're conducting sobriety checkpoints in areas they frequent. We're scheduling these patrols for hours when young drivers are normally present. By increasing the presence of Troopers, we hope to remind this group of drivers how important it is to drive carefully, and to obey all traffic laws."

Goals of the Strike Three Program , which runs through September 30, include:

• Improving safety belt usage by five percent to lessen the severity of traffic crashes
• Enforcing the Graduated Driver License Law and alcohol/drug statutes to decrease the number of alcohol related crashes
• Promoting safe driving habits among younger drivers to decrease the number of under 18 drivers involved in fatal crashes

Efforts are being concentrated on locations known to attract young people, such as lakes, parks, concert venues, etc. Emphasis is also being given to locales with a history of alcohol related fatal and injury crashes involving young drivers, and roadways where a large number of citizen complaints are received.

Preliminary enforcement numbers indicate the effort is producing results. In the first six months of the program, the THP wrote 2,633 seat belt violation citations to drivers between 16 and 18 years old. Troopers also wrote 1,672 citations for speeding, 16 for DUI, 255 for child restraint violations and 27 for violations of the Graduated Driver License statute.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.