THP Announces July 4th Weekend Crackdown on Drunk Drivers
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 | 07:49am
Don’t Forget “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving”
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Highway Patrol announced today that State Troopers will be out in full force during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, cracking down on drunk drivers with an aggressive Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest enforcement blitz. To ensure motorists are obeying the law, the THP will conduct sobriety and driver license checkpoints across the state in an effort to reduce fatalities and serious injury crashes. The 2010 July 4th, 78-hour Holiday period begins at 6:00 p.m., Friday, July 2, and will end at 11:59 p.m., Monday, July 5.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve only had one drink; it’s not worth the risk,” said Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell. “Buzzed driving is drunk driving. No matter your age; if you plan on drinking, you’d better find a safe and sober ride home or your chances of arrest are high.”
During the 2009 July 4 holiday weekend, 16 people died in 15 crashes on Tennessee roadways. That’s a fatality rate of one death every four hours and 53 minutes. Five of the 10 people killed last year were vehicle occupants and were not wearing seatbelts. Five motorcyclists also died during last year’s July 4th holiday weekend. Two of the deaths, or 12.5 percent, occurred in alcohol-related crashes.
Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk. The consequences of drinking and driving are serious and real. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving impaired can be significant. Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates and dozens of other unanticipated expenses.
“Too many people still fail to understand the severity or the consequences behind driving impaired. It is not an accident, nor is it a victimless crime,” stressed THP Colonel Mike Walker. “It’s vitally important that we bring this tragic situation to an end.”
In 2008, national statistics indicate 32 percent of all drivers involved in traffic-related crashes during the July 4th holiday period had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, the legal limit in all states.
Drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest problems. Nationwide, in 2008, 37,261 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Out of that number, 11,733 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.
In Tennessee in 2009, 989 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. There were 136 people who were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher.
Alcohol plays a big role in motorcycle fatalities too. Forty-three percent of the 2,291 motorcycle riders who were killed in single-vehicle crashes nationwide in 2008 had BAC levels of .08 or higher, as well as 64 percent of nighttime weekend fatalities. In fatal crashes for 2008, a higher percent of motorcycle riders had BAC levels of .08 or higher than any other type of vehicle driver. Fourteen of the 120 motorcycle riders who were killed in Tennessee in 2009 had BAC levels of .08 or higher.
“It’s obvious to recognize someone who is not fit to drive home safely,” said Colonel Walker. “You don’t have to be ‘falling down drunk’ to be a threat to yourself or others on the road.”
Don’t let this Fourth of July blow up in your face. Remember, Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Designate a sober driver before the parties begin.
In 2010, preliminary statistics indicate 477 people have died on Tennessee roadways, an increase of 6 deaths compared to 471 fatalities at this same time in 2009. A list of scheduled sobriety and driver license checkpoints for the July 4th Holiday period are included in this release. Statistical data for 2009 is attached.
For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org
The Tennessee Department of Safety’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is 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.
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY DRIVER LICENSE & SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS
DIST. 1 KNOXVILLE Friday, July 2: SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT SCOTT COUNTY SR 63 @ E BAKER STREET EVENING SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT ROANE COUNTY HWY 382 @ CHURCH OF LATTER DAY SAINTS EVENING SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT LOUDON COUNTY Hwy 321 & Cut THROUGH ROAD EVENING DL CHECKPOINT BLOUNT COUNTY SR 336 @ BLOCKHOUSE ROAD EVENING DL CHECKPOINT CAMPBELL COUNTY TOWE STRING RD @ MUSCLE MAX EVENING DL CHECKPOINT UNION COUNTY SR 61 @ TAZEWELL PIKE EVENING Saturday, July 3: SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT MONROE COUNTY SR 360 @ BALL PLAY ROAD EVENING SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT SEVIER COUNTY COLLIER DR @ RAINBOW ROAD MORNING DL CHECKPOINT KNOX COUNTY MARYVILLE PIKE @ CALEB ST. MORNING Sunday, July 4: DL CHECKPOINT BLOUNT COUNTY US 129 @ O. RAILROAD BED RD. EVENING Tuesday, July 6: DL CHECKPOINT ANDERSON COUNTY SULPHER SPRINGS & LAUREL MORNING DL CHECKPOINT KNOX COUNTY SR 62 EAST OF 162 EVENING DIST. 2 CHATTANOOGA Friday, July 2: SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HAMILTON COUNTY HWY 27 @ MILE STRAIGHT EVENING SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT MARION COUNTY US 41 @ MARION COUNTY PARK EVENING DL CHECKPOINT BRADLEY COUNTY US 11 SOUTH OF APD 40 EVENING DL CHECKPOINT COFFEE COUNTY BARTON SPRINGS RD @ NORMADY BEACH MORNING DL CHECKPOINT RHEA COUNTY HWY 30 @ MARKET STREET EVENING Saturday, July 3: SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT MCMINN COUNTY SR 305 @ TELLICO AVENUE EVENING DIST. 3 NASHVILLE Friday, July 2: DL CHECKPOINT DAVIDSON COUNTY 3220 BELL ROAD EVENING DL CHECKPOINT DICKSON COUNTY HWY 96 & TURNBULL BRIDGE MORNING DL CHECKPOINT MONTGOMERY COUNTY SR 374 SOUTH OF LAFAYETTE RD MORNING DL CHECKPOINT RUTHERFORD COUNTY HWY 96 E @ OLD MILTON EVENING DL CHECKPOINT SUMNER COUNTY HWY 25 @ BARRY LANE MORNING DL CHECKPOINT SUMNER COUNTY HWY 25 @ BUG HOLLOW AFTERNOON DL CHECKPOINT WILSON COUNTY CENTRAL PIKE @ JOHN HAGAR EVENING SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT ROBERTSON COUNTY HWY 41 @ RIDGETOP EVENING Saturday, July 3: DL CHECKPOINT CHEATHAM COUNTY KINGSTON SPRINGS RD @ SCHOOL MORNING DL CHECKPOINT RUTHERFORD COUNTY HWY 99 @ JACKSON R. EVENING SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HUMPHREYS COUNTY HWY 70 @ THE TENNESSEE RIVER EVENING SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT RUTHERFORD COUNTY THOMPSON LANE & HAYNES DRIVE EVENING SOBREITY CHECKPOINT STEWART COUNTY HWY 232 @ OLD HWY 79 EVENING Sunday, July 4: SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT DICKSON COUNTY HWY 96 @ HWY 70 MORNING SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT WILSON COUNTY SPARTA PIKE @ LINDSLEY EVENING DIST. 4 MEMPHIS Friday, July 2: DL CHECKPOINT DYER COUNTY SR 104 @ U.S. 412 MORNING DL CHECKPOINT DYER COUNTY SR 104 @ PAKRER RD EVENING DL CHECKPOINT TIPTON COUNTY SR 54 HAYWOOD COUNTY LINE EVENING DIST. 5 FALL BRANCH Friday, July 2: SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HAWKINS COUNTY US 11-W @ POOR VALLEY BRIDGE EVENING DL CHECKPOINT COCKE COUNTY US 25E SOUTH OF CHIPMONK HOLLOW WAY MORNING DL CHECKPOINT GRAINGER COUNTY 375 @ GERMAN CREEK BRIDGE MORNING DL CHECKPOINT HAWKINS COUNTY US 11-W @ POOR VALLEY EVENING DL CHECKPOINT UNICOI COUNTY SR 107 .2 MILE WEST OF CAMPGROUND MORNING DL CHECKPOINT WASHINGTON COUNTY PICKENS BRIDGE ROAD @ PICKENS BRIDGE AFTERNOON Saturday, July 3: DL CHECKPOINT GRAINGER COUNTY SR 1 NEAR SR 34 EVENING DL CHECKPOINT HAWKINS COUNTY SR 70 @ TOP OF CLINCH MOUNTAIN MORNING DL CHECKPOINT UNICOI COUNTY UNICOI DRIVE @ GOLF COURSE MORNING Sunday, July 4: DL CHECKPOINT GRAINER COUNTY 375 @ LAKESHORE BAPTIST EVENING DL CHECKPOINT HAWKINS COUNTY SR 66 @ ROCK CUT EVENING DL CHECKPOINT UNICOI COUNTY SR 352 @ SOUTHSIDE EVENING Monday, July 5: DL CHECKPOINT CARTER COUNTY SR 91 @ POPULAR GROVE BAPTIST CHRUCH AFTERNOON DL CHECKPOINT GREENE COUNTY US 11 E @ GREENE @ HAWKINS COUNTY LINE EVENING DL CHECKPOINT JOHNSON COUNTY SR 167 .1 MILE NORTH OF OLD CABIN RD EVENING DIST. 6 COOKEVILLE Friday, July 2: SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT PUTNAM COUNTY SR 56 @ NORTH OF US 70 N EVENING SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT DEKALB COUNTY HWY 96 @ OLD HWY 96 EVENING SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT DEKALB COUNTY HWY 146 .1 M NORTH OF MM 6 EVENING DL CHECKPOINT PUTNAM COUNTY SOUTH JEFFERSON AVE @ DL STATION EVENING DL CHECKPOINT CUMBERLAND COUNTY HWY 70 EAST @ SHAFFER’S ROCK AFTERNOON DL CHECKPOINT VAN BUREN COUNTY HWY 30 EAST @ HWY 285 EVENING Saturday, July 3: DL CHECKPOINT CUMBERLAND COUNTY HWY 70 EAST @ SHAFFER’S ROCK AFTERNOON DL CHECKPOINT TROUSALE COUNTY HWY 141 SOUTH @ RIVER BRIDGE MORNING Sunday, July 4: SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT FENTRESS COUNTY GATEWOOD FORD RD @ TINCHTOWN RD EVENING DL CHECKPOINT FENTRESS COUNTY HWY 127N @ ROADSIDE PARK NEAR FROGGE & MORNING WILLIAMS DL CHECKPOINT MACON COUNTY HWY 52 EAST @ NESTLE WATERS EVENING DIST. 7 LAWRENCEBURG Thursday, July 1: DL CHECKPIONT LEWIS COUNTY US HWY 412E .1 MILE WEST OF MM 25 AFTERNOON Friday, July 2: DL CHECKPOINT WAYNE COUNTY S.R. 114 @ MM 3 MORNING DL CHECKPOINT GILES COUNTY HWY 31S @ MM 4.5 EVENING DL CHECKPOINT BEDFORD COUNTY HWY 82S @ MM 6.9 EVENING Saturday, July 3: DL CHECKPOINT PERRY COUNTY S.R. 13 @ MM 29 AFTERNOON DL CHECKPOINT MARSHALL COUNTY HWY 50 @ MM 0 EVENING Sunday, May 4: SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HICKMAN COUNTY HWY 7 @ MM 3 EVENING DL CHECKPOINT LINCOLN COUNTY HWY 121 @ MM 0 MORNING DL CHECKPOINT WAYNE COUNTY SR. 13N @ UNDERPASS AFTERNOON DL CHECKPOINT PERRY COUNTY U.S. HWY 412 W @ MM TN RIVER EVENING DL CHECKPOINT LAWRENCE COUNTY HWY 98 @ MM 6 MORNING DL CHECKPOINT MOORE COUNTY HWY 55 @ ROADSIDE PARK EVENING DL CHECKPOINT MAURY COUNTY U.S. 31 0.4 MILES NORTH OF BIGBYVILLE RD AFTERNOON DIST. 8 JACKSON Friday, July 2: SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HARDIN COUNTY HWY 128 @ ADAMS BAIT SHOP EVENING DL CHECKPOINT MADISON COUNTY US 70 @ S.R. 152 EVENING DL CHECKPOINT WEAKLEY COUNTY S.R. 54 @ MM 3 EVENING DL CHECKPOINT CARROLL COUNTY U.S. 70 @ HEBRON RD MM 26 AFTERNOON DL CHECKPOINT HENRY COUNTY S.R. 69A @ BENTON CO. LINE EVENING DL CHECKPOINT HARDIN COUNTY HWY 22 & 142 EVENING Saturday, July 3: DL CHECKPOINT MADISON COUNTY US 412 @ HENDERSON CO. LINE EVENING Sunday, July 4 DL CHECKPOINT CARROLL COUNTY S.R. 22 @ CROOKED CREEK EVENING DL CHECKPOINT HENDERSON COUNTY S.R. 114 @ NEW CANAL RD. AFTERNOON SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT WEAKLEY COUNTY S.R. 54 @ MM 18 EVENING SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HENRY COUNTY US 79N @ LITTLE CREEK BRIDGE EVENING SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT HENDERSON COUNTY S.R. 22 @ CARROLL CO. LINE EVENING