The Knoxville Police Department (KPD) is setting up a sobriety checkpoint on January 31, on N. Broadway just north of the downtown area, the department announced. The initiative aims to discourage driving under the influence, minimize the chance of alcohol or drug-related accidents, and raise awareness of the risks tied to impaired driving.
Officers working the checkpoint will evaluate drivers for indications of alcohol or drug influence, an act that, noted for being particularly hazardous, has been linked to at least 10 fatal crashes in Knoxville last year. In 2022, KPD enhanced its efforts through a DUI checkpoint trailer.
According to the Knoxville Police Department, the previous checkpoint conducted on November 21 on Cumberland Avenue resulted in one DUI arrest after officers stopped more than 700 vehicles to screen for driver impairment.
In the lead-up to the checkpoint, KPD emphasizes the importance of safe driving habits. The reminder extends beyond the checkpoint to all instances on the road and advises motorists to, "slow down, buckle up, reduce distractions, pay attention to the road, and never drive while under the influence," of potentially impairing substances.
