THP Joins Border States In Effort To Save Lives This Labor Day Weekend
Nashville, Tennessee — As millions plan to hit the road this holiday weekend, the Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) advises that the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) will be out in force, cracking down on drivers who break the law. The Labor Day holiday weekend begins Friday, August 31, at 6 p.m., and ends Monday, September 3, at 11:59 p.m.
The Labor Day holiday weekend is a National Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) Holiday. THP is joining law enforcement agencies in neighboring states for this effort. Together, THP Troopers and officers from other states will conduct joint sobriety and driver license checkpoints throughout the long weekend.
“We want to ensure that everyone reaches their destinations safely this Labor Day holiday,” said Department of Safety Commissioner David Mitchell. “That’s why we’re joining many of our neighbors in Operation C.A.R.E. We want drivers to remember to drive safely, obey the posted speed limits and remember to buckle up.”
In addition to Operation C.A.R.E., the THP is teaming up with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and other law enforcement and highway safety agencies across the nation this weekend in an aggressive crackdown on impaired drivers called: Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.
Drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes. Last year in Tennessee, 408 people were killed in crashes where the driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. During the 2006 Labor Day holiday weekend, troopers were called to nearly two dozen alcohol related crashes.
“Labor Day weekend is a time to relax and have fun, but we want everyone to play it safe and designate a sober driver,” stated THP Colonel Mike Walker. “Make no mistake, if we catch you driving impaired, you will be arrested. No exceptions. No excuses.”
The THP will increase patrols throughout the Labor Day weekend, putting in more than 400 additional man hours. The increased enforcement is made possible thanks in part to grants provided by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO).
18 people were killed in Tennessee during the 2006 Labor Day holiday. Of those killed in vehicle crashes, 60 percent of them were not wearing seatbelts. “Every hour, at least one person in this country dies because he or she didn’t use their seatbelt. It’s senseless,” said GHSO Director Kendell Poole. “Research shows it is almost nine times safer to wear your safety belt while traveling in a vehicle.”
THP is not waiting for the official start of the holiday weekend to begin its crackdown on impaired drivers. Troopers will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint tonight, Wednesday, August 29, 2007, on Highway 41/70 at Stroop Lane in Rutherford County, between Smyrna and Murfreesboro from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
A listing of all scheduled holiday driver license and sobriety checkpoints is included with this release.
The Tennessee Department of Safety (www.tennessee.gov/safety) is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the traveling public. The department’s general areas of responsibility encompass law enforcement, safety education and motorist services, including the issuance of driver licenses. The department and its highly trained staff of Troopers are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles of state and federal highways.
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY DRIVER LICENSE & SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS
DIST. 1 KNOXVILLE
Friday, August 31:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT SCOTT COUNTY US 27 @ TN-KY STATE LINE EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT SEVIER COUNTY US 441@ CIRCLE DRIVE EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT BLOUNT COUNTY STATE ROUTE 333 EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT SEVIER COUNTY FLATT CREEK ROAD @ SIMS ROAD EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT UNION COUNTY STATE ROUTE 131 @ PETERS ROAD MORNING
Saturday, September 1
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT MONROE COUNTY STATE ROUTE 165 CHEROHALA SKYWAY AFTERNOON
DIST. 2 CHATTANOOGA
Wednesday, Aug 29:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HAMILTON COUNTY ROSSVILLE BLVD @ TN/GA LINE EVENING
Friday, Aug 31:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HAMILTON COUNTY WASHINGTON ST. @ E. 20TH ST EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT MARION COUNTY STATE ROUTE 156 @ BLUE BRIDGE EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT SEQUATCHIE COUNTY HWY 127 @ LONE OAK SCHOOL EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT MCMINN COUNTY STATE ROUTE 30 E OF ATHENS EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT FRANKLIN COUNTY HWY 130 @ O. ESTILL RD. MORNING
Saturday, Sept. 1
DL CHECKPOINT COFFEE COUNTY HWY 64 @ HWY 280 AFTERNOON
DL CHECKPOINT POLK COUNTY HWY 64 @ W OF DUCKTOWN AFTERNOON
Sunday, Sept. 2
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT MARION COUNTY HWY 72 @ TN/AL LINE EVENING
SOBREITY CHECKPOINT HAMILTON COUNTY HWY 27 @ RHEA CO. LINE EARLY A.M.
DL CHECKPOINT RHEA COUNTY HWY 60 @ TN RIVER BRIDGE EVENING
Monday, Sept. 3
DL CHECKPOINT MEIGS COUNTY LAMONTVILLE RD AFTERNOON
DIST. 3 NASHVILLE
Friday, Aug. 31:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HUMPHREYS COUNTY HWY 70 IN MCEWEN EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT MONTGOMERY COUNTY HWY 79N NEAR HAMPTON STATION EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT RUTHERFORD COUNTY STONES RIVER RD @ MOSS TRAIL EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT SUMNER COUNTY 31 WEST @ STATE LINE EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT STEWART COUNTY THE TRACE @ FT. HENRY RD MORNING
DL CHECKPOINT SUMNER COUNTY HWY 231 @ TOM BEASLEY MORNING
DL CHECKPOINT SUMNER COUNTY HWY 52 EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT WILSON COUNTY CENTRAL PK @ JOHN HAGAR EVENING
Saturday, Sept. 1:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT MONTGOMERY COUNTY HWY 79N NEAR HAMPTON STATION EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT ROBERTSON COUNTY HWY 431S @ MILE MARKER 4 EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT SUMNER COUNTY 31 WEST @ STATE LINE EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT WILSON COUNTY HWY 231 @ HURRICANE CREEK EVENING
Sunday, Sept. 2:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT SUMNER COUNTY HWY 174 @ ST. BLAIZE EVENING
Monday, Sept. 3:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT SUMNER COUNTY HWY 174 @ MILE POST #1 EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT ROBERTSON COUNTY HWY 52 @ 31 WEST MORNING
DIST. 4 MEMPHIS
Friday, August 31:
Saturation patrols will be conducted on:
All roads in Obion County
U.S. Hwy 51 in Tipton County
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT FAYETTE COUNTY STATE RTE 18 @ STATE LINE EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT OBION COUNTY U.S. 21 @ SEMONES ROAD EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT TIPTON COUNTY STATE ROUTE 14 EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT OBION COUNTY U.S. 45 WEST AFTERNOON
Sunday, Sept. 2:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT SHELBY COUNTY STATE ROUTE 14 EVENING
Monday, Sept. 3:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT FAYETTE COUNTY STATE ROUTE 196 EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT HAYWOOD COUNTY STATE ROUTE 76 AFTERNOON
DIST. 5 FALL BRANCH
Friday, August 31:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT CLAIBORNE COUNTY HWY 25 EAST & ST RTE 58 EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT JOHNSON COUNTY HWY 421 @ N.C. STATE LINE EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT CLAIBORNE COUNTY STATE ROUTE 63 EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT SULLIVAN COUNTY ST RTE 394 @ RED BUD LANE EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT WASHINGTON COUNTY HUFFINE ROAD EVENING
Saturday, Sept. 1:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT SULLIVAN COUNTY ST RTE 44 @ VA STATE LINE EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT COCKE COUNTY U.S. 25/70 @ OPEN DOOR CHURCH EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT GRAINGER COUNTY OWL HOLE GAP ROAD EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT JOHNSON COUNTY U.S. 421 @ BEAVER CREEK BRIDGE AFTERNOON
DL CHECKPOINT WASHINGTON COUNTY PICKENS BRIDGE EVENING
Monday, Sept. 3:
DL CHECKPOINT HAMBLEN COUNTY HWY 343 & U.S. 25 EAST MORNING
DIST. 6 COOKEVILLE
Friday, August 31:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT CLAY COUNTY HWY 53 NORTH EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT CLAY COUNTY HWY 53 N @ BUTLERS LANDING EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT PICKETT COUNTY HWY 111 S @ OBEY RIVER PARK EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT PICKETT COUNTY HWY 111 NORTH NEAR STATE LINE EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT MACON COUNTY HWY 52 EAST MORNING
DL CHECKPOINT MACON COUNTY HWY 10 SOUTH AFTERNOON
DL CHECKPOINT PICKETT COUNTY PENDERGRASS RD @ SOUTH MAIN EVENING
Saturday, Sept. 1:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT CLAY COUNTY HWY 53 NORTH NEAR STATE LINE EVENING
DIST. 7 LAWRENCEBURG
Friday, August 31
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT LAWRENCE COUNTY HWY 43 NORTH EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT MAURY COUNTY TOM HITCH PKWY EVENING
Saturday, Sept. 1:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT GILES COUNTY U.S. HWY 31 EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT HICKMAN COUNTY MISSIONARY RIDGE EVENING
Sunday, Sept.2:
DL CHECKPOINT PERRY COUNTY STATE ROUTE 13 NORTH EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT MARSHALL COUNTY STATE ROUTE 99 @ MM 7 EVENING
Monday, Sept. 3:
DL CHECKPOINT LEWIS COUNTY U.S. 412 @ MILE MARKER 24 EVENING
DIST. 8 JACKSON
Saturation patrols will be conducted on:
All roads in Carroll, Hardin and McNairy Counties
Friday, August 31:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT CARROLL COUNTY US 70A EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT MCNAIRY COUNTY HWY 45 SOUTH EVENING
Saturday, Sept. 1:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT MADISON COUNTY ST RTE 18 @ MEDON EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HENRY COUNTY US 641 @ STATE LINE EVENING
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HENDERSON COUNTY US 412 @ MADISON CO LINE EVENING
Monday, Sept. 3:
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HENRY COUNTY ST RTE 119 @ MILE MARKER 3 EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT BENTON COUNTY US 70 @ SANDY POINT AFTERNOON
DL CHECKPOINT CARROLL COUNTY US 70 @ BENTON CO LINE AFTERNOON
DL CHECKPOINT MADISON COUNTY HWY 412 @ MILE MARKER 3 AFTERNOON
DL CHECKPOINT GIBSON COUNTY ST RTE 77 @ MILE MARKER 11 EVENING
DL CHECKPOINT WEAKLEY COUNTY ST RTE 54 EAST OF GREENFIELD AFTERNOON