In a bid to secure Tennessee roadways during a period marked by heightened travel, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has initiated an increased presence statewide, a maneuver aimed to cut down on serious accidents and roadway fatalities during the festive season. As WVLT reports, this uptick in law enforcement visibility is a facet of the Holiday Safety Enforcement Campaign.
With patrols active in each of the state's 95 counties, the THP's crusade against hazardous driving is multifaceted, tackling impaired driving, speeding, aggressive driving and distracted driving, which are common during the holidays and Colonel Matt Perry, on the subject, asserted "Our goal is to make sure everyone arrives at their destination safely," these commented were captured by WVLT. Alongside active patrolling, the THP is also proffering advice for those who may partake in seasonal merriment, suggesting the pre-arrangement of sober drivers or the utilization of ride-share services.
Driving under influence has historically surged during such holiday spells, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recording 281 drunk driving-related deaths during the 2022 Christmas and New Year's period alone, and THP's enhanced patrolling is meant to stave off a recurrence of such tragedies this year. "We're going to throw everything we have at it," asserted Colonel Matt Perry in a statement aimed at reassuring the public of THP's dedication, as detailed by WATE. The severity of the repercussions of impaired driving was underlined by 6 News Legal Analyst Greg Isaacs in July, outlining the cascade of penalties, ranging from mandatory jail time to license suspension.
Colonel Perry emphasizes the simple yet impactful message to "slow down and get there safe you may be a few minutes late," as told to WATE. In response to sleepiness or fatigue behind the wheel, THP advises pulling over to rest or to seek the invigoration of fresh air, thus prioritizing life over expedience.
