THP Steps Up Enforcement for St. Patrick’s Day Weekend

Nashville, Tennessee — More than 50 sobriety and driver license checkpoints are planned this weekend as the Tennessee Highway Patrol steps up enforcement efforts across the state for St. Patrick’s Day.

“St. Patrick’s Day is a popular night for many people to celebrate with friends,” said Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell. “Unfortunately, it is also a dangerous night due to impaired drivers. Don’t rely on the luck of the Irish. Act responsibly and use a designated driver or sober friend to get you home from the celebration.” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, last year on St. Patrick’s Day, nearly half (44%) of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above. In Tennessee, ten people were killed in nine fatal crashes during the 2007 St. Patrick’s Day weekend. “If you decide to drink and drive, know that State Troopers will be out in force looking for you,” stresses Highway Patrol Commander Mike Walker. “Buzzed driving is drunk driving. If you get caught, you will go to jail, and a pot of gold and a little jig won’t help you.” Motorists should keep in mind that THP’s stepped up enforcement will continue throughout the Easter holiday. Troopers will be participating in the Special Holiday Accident Reduction Effort (S.H.A.R.E) and the Urban Speed Enforcement (U.S.E.) initiative. Both campaigns target drivers who disobey posted speed limits, drink and drive and/or drive recklessly. A driver convicted of DUI can face up to 48 hours in jail and the loss of driving privileges for up to a year for a first offense. The associated costs of driving impaired also include attorney fees, court costs, reinstatement fees and higher insurance premiums. There’s also the risk of paying the worst cost of all—your life or the life of someone else. A list of safe driving tips are available below, along with statistics for 2000-2007 St. Patrick’s Day Holiday and scheduled checkpoints. SAFE ST. PATRICK’S DAY DRIVING TIPS * Plan Ahead. If you’ll be drinking, arrange a safe way home before the festivities begin. * Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys. * 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 *847) * Remember, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. If you or someone who is about to drive or ride with someone who is impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely. * And remember, the tragedies and costs of driving drunk 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 drunk driving are significant. * Drunk driving violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses, ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs and lost wages due to time off from work. * Make the safe choice. Designate a sober driver before your partying begins. Alcohol-Related Crashes (Tennessee) In 2006: * 439 (34%) of Tennessee’s 1,287 fatalities were alcohol-related crashes involving a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 +) * 509 (40%) of Tennessee’s 1,287 fatalities were Alcohol-related crashes involving a driver with a BAC (.01+)