Tennessee Highway Patrol Announce Fourth of July "No Refusal" Results, Overall Holiday Statistics
Six Traffic Fatalities in No Refusal Counties; 16 Fatalities Overall During Fourth of July Period
NASHVILLE ---The Tennessee Highway Patrol arrested 61 individuals on suspicion of impaired driving in the 16-county “No Refusal” enforcement effort during the Fourth of July holiday period. During the 102-hour period, six people were killed in traffic crashes in the counties participating in “No Refusal” and a total of 16 people died in vehicular crashes statewide. The holiday period ran from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3 through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 7.
Twelve suspects refused to take a breathalyzer test and seven warrants were obtained for a blood sample under the “No Refusal” law. Investigators were unable to obtain warrants on five suspects.
“No Refusal” permits law enforcement officials to seek search warrants for blood samples in cases involving suspected impaired drivers. The goal is to deter impaired driving and reduce fatal crashes on Tennessee roadways.
THP District Captains selected two counties in each district to enforce “No Refusal,” specifically, Knox and Sevier (Knoxville District); Hamilton and Franklin (Chattanooga District); Davidson and Montgomery (Nashville District); Dyer and Tipton (Memphis District); Cocke and Unicoi (Fall Branch District); Cumberland and Warren (Cookeville District); Lincoln and Maury (Lawrenceburg District); and Henry and Weakley Counties (Jackson District).
Preliminary reports indicate that six people were killed in five separate crashes in participating “No Refusal” areas, including Hamilton, Tipton, Davidson (2) and Cocke (2) counties. One of those crashes was alcohol-related.
Overall, 16 people were killed in 14 total crashes during the Fourth of July period, compared to 21 vehicular fatalities during last year’s period. Eleven of the vehicle occupants were not wearing seat belts. Additionally, one ATV rider was killed.
The results for the 16-county “No Refusal” enforcement effort are listed below. A statistical report from the Fourth of July holiday period also accompanies this release.
Knox County
DUI arrests: 9
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 1
Sevier County
DUI arrests: 7
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Hamilton County
DUI Arrests: 16
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 2
Franklin County
DUI Arrests: 3
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 2
Davidson County
DUI Arrests: 3
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Montgomery County
DUI Arrests: 1
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 1
Dyer County
DUI Arrests: 3
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Tipton County
DUI Arrests: 4
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Cocke County
DUI Arrests: 0
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Unicoi County
DUI Arrests: 1
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Cumberland County
DUI Arrests: 0
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Warren County
DUI Arrests: 5
Refusal to take BAC test: 4
Search warrants obtained for blood samples 0
Lincoln County
DUI Arrests: 2
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Maury County
DUI Arrests: 4
Refusal to take BAC test: 2
Search warrants obtained for blood samples 1
Henry County
DUI Arrests: 1
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Weakley County
DUI Arrests: 2
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.
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