(TENNESSEE) We're in the countdown to the end of what is hoped to be a "safer Labor Day". Keep The Labor Day drive home safe too! Last year (2022), the number of deaths in the Volunteer State dropped by six persons (from 19 in 2021 to 13 in 2022). 

Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Matt Perry said, "I have challenged our captains to utilize a variety of specialized enforcement strategies to make Tennessee roads as safe as we can, including watching for distracted driving, commercial vehicle safety, move-over, and seat belt violations. This includes an especially strong emphasis on detecting and removing impaired drivers from the roads.”

This tactic has brought good results to Tennessee for the first half of the year. 

Preliminary figures indicate there have been 2,979 crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers in Tennessee in the first six months of 2023.  That is 47 fewer crashes than the 3,026 crashes during that same timeframe in 2022. The THP has worked to reduce the number of crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers by arresting 3,054 people for DUIs in 2023.

So far this year, 263 people, who were not wearing their seat belts, were killed on Tennessee roadways.  Because seat belt usage has been proven to save lives, the THP vigorously enforces Tennessee’s seat belt law. The THP has already issued 19,268 citations to individuals not wearing seat belts this year.

Colonel Perry concluded, "BUCKLE UP! Choose to make the safety of yourself, your family, and everyone around you your top priority." 

By the way, that's not just with Labor Day--but from now on!