Law enforcement agencies across the Cumberland Region including the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department are working together to save lives on Tennessee roadways. The Governor’s Highway Safety Office will join 88 agencies from 28 counties to kick off the Cumberland Crackdown at noon, Wednesday, December 30.
The Crackdown will be one of the largest enforcement events in Tennessee. Law enforcement agencies will be focusing their efforts on some of the deadliest highways in their jurisdiction including Highway 70 in DeKalb County. These highways were identified by the Department of Safety using data from the present all the way back to 1994. Agencies will conduct sobriety checkpoints and saturation points along these roadways from 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 30th until 3:00 a.m., Thursday, December 31st
“We are able to use a more proactive approach to enforcement this holiday season by using data provided to us by the Department of Safety,” stated Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO) Liaison Clint Shrum. “Having the ability to determine the areas that are the most dangerous allows agencies to appropriate the right resources to ensure highway safety. Because of this approach the Cumberland Region is experiencing a noticeable decrease in highway fatalities this year.”
Director Kendell Poole, GHSO, added, “This time of year can be one of the happiest for families as they get together and make new memories. However, those happy moments can be stolen away in seconds because the holiday season is one of the deadliest and most dangerous. Enforcement will make a difference.”
The Governor’s Highway Safety Office reminds all Tennessee drivers to stay safe throughout the holiday season and buckle up, watch your speed and designate a sober driver when taking part in holiday festivities.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting sobriety roadside safety
checkpoints during the week of December 31 on State Route 53 and 56 in DeKalb County.
Impaired driving is a serious crime that kills more than 16,000 people and injures 305,000 others every year in the United States. Troopers will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Troopers will target those who operate a vehicle while impaired and take corrective actions for other violations observed while ensuring the protection of all motorists.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol recognizes that sobriety checkpoints are highly visible and effective tools in the battle against impaired driving.
Archived News & Obituaries