Tennessee Highway Patrol Releases New Year's Eve Holiday & No Refusal Results
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Highway Patrol arrested 68 individuals on suspicion of impaired driving and investigated zero fatal crashes in the eight counties selected for a “No Refusal” enforcement campaign during the New Year’s Eve holiday period. The holiday period began at midnight on December 31, 2014 and concluded at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2015.
Under the “No Refusal” law, law enforcement officials may seek search warrants for blood samples in cases involving suspected impaired drivers. This law was strictly enforced in Roane, McMinn, Rutherford, Shelby, Washington, Cumberland, Maury, and Hardin counties. The goal is to deter impaired driving and reduce fatal crashes on Tennessee roadways.
Six suspects refused to take breathalyzer tests and warrants were obtained for a blood sample under the “No Refusal” law. State troopers also issued 306 seat belt citations in the “No Refusal” counties.
“Our state troopers investigated zero fatal crashes in the eight No Refusal counties,” THP Colonel Tracy Trott said. “We believe this particular enforcement makes an impact and saves lives, and we hope to produce those same results in 2015.”
During the 102-hour New Year’s Eve holiday period, eight people were killed in traffic crashes in Tennessee. That’s down from 16 vehicular fatalities during the 2013 New Year’s Eve period. Two of the eight traffic fatalities occurred in alcohol-related crashes, while three of the victims were not wearing seat belts.
The results for the eight-county “No Refusal” enforcement effort are listed below. A statistical report from the New Year’s Eve holiday period also accompanies this release.
Roane County
DUI arrests: 3
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
McMinn County
DUI arrests: 3
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Rutherford County
DUI Arrests: 11
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Shelby County
DUI Arrests: 11
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 2
Washington County
DUI Arrests: 11
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Cumberland County
DUI Arrests: 10
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Maury County
DUI Arrests: 14
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 2
Hardin County
DUI Arrests: 5
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 2
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.
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