Tennessee Highway Patrol Announces Cinco de Mayo Traffic Safety Enforcement Effort

 NASHVILLE –-- The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) will increase patrols and conduct specialized traffic safety enforcement during the Cinco de Mayo holiday in an effort to reduce serious injury and fatal crashes across the state.  State troopers will observe this year’s Cinco de Mayo holiday period between 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5 through midnight, on Wednesday, May 6.  

Last year, the 96-hour Cinco de Mayo enforcement period resulted in 15 fatal crashes and 16 vehicular deaths across Tennessee. Seven of the 16 traffic fatalities were alcohol-related (43.8%) and seven of the fatalities were unrestrained (43.8%). Five motorcyclists were killed, while one pedestrian died. Three of the traffic fatalities occurred on Cinco de Mayo.   

“THP District Captains will utilize predictive analytics to allocate manpower and target areas where the likelihood of alcohol-related crashes may occur during the Cinco de Mayo holiday,” Colonel Tracy Trott said. “State troopers will also place an emphasis on hazardous moving, seat belt and distracted driving violations to help ensure a safe holiday.”

THP personnel will hold sobriety and seat belt checkpoints and conduct statewide saturation patrols throughout the 48-hour holiday period. 

As of May 1, 266 motorists have been killed on Tennessee roadways this calendar year. That is six fewer traffic fatalities than this same time in 2014.

Some important reminders for those celebrating Cinco de Mayo and any holiday or special occasion include:

·         Plan Ahead. If you plan to drink, arrange a safe way home with a designated driver before the festivities begin.

·         If you’re impaired, call a taxi, use public transportation, or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.

·         Use the local Sober Ride program.

·         If you see a drunk driver on the road, promptly contact your local law enforcement agency (Dial *THP)

·         Remember, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. If you or someone you know is about to ride with one that is impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.

A list of all scheduled THP checkpoints can be found online at http://tn.gov/safety/thp/checkpoints.shtml

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.