Tennessee Highway Patrol Increases Enforcement During Cinco de Mayo Holiday Weekend

NASHVILLE –-- The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) will conduct and aggressive enforcement campaign May 2-5 for Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend. The enforcement effort is part of the THP’s year-long “Drive to Zero Fatalities” campaign.

State Troopers will actively patrol and focus on areas across Tennessee utilizing historical crash data. The THP will also hold several seatbelt, driver license, and sobriety checkpoints in an effort to remove impaired and unlicensed drivers from the roadways.

“Cinco de Mayo can be a fun holiday, but it can also be a dangerous one for those who choose to drink and get behind the wheel,” Colonel Tracy Trott said. “Our goal for this weekend, and every day, is zero fatalities. By using data-driven enforcement we have a greater chance of preventing crashes and saving lives on Tennessee’s roadways,” he added.

Eight people were killed in traffic crashes during the 2013 Cinco de Mayo holiday period, which ran May 2 – 5. As of May 1, 264 motorists have been killed on Tennessee roadways this calendar year. That is 16 fewer traffic fatalities than this same time in 2013.

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 accompanies this release.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to ensure that our state is a safe, secure place in which to live, work and travel; enforce the law with integrity; and provide customer-focused services professionally and efficiently.