Law enforcement officials across Tennessee are ramping up efforts to curb the rate of accidents, injuries and fatalities tied to drunk driving and other unsafe driving habits. Late last month, the Governor’s Highway Safety Office oversaw the launch of increased traffic safety plans in Sullivan and two other counties in East Tennessee, which will result in more checkpoints for seat-belt usage, investigations for driving under the influence and officers keeping a more watchful eye out for distracted driving in Tennessee over the next six months. If you have suffered injuries in a drunk driving accident or another type of accident in Tennessee, contact our reputable attorneys at Michael D. Ponce & Associates for legal help.
According to Safety Office East Tennessee Law Enforcement Liaison, Steve Dillard, the combined effort, dubbed “Operation Smile,” will focus on changing the behavior of TN drivers, including ticketing aggressive drivers who speed, locking up impaired drivers, enforcing seat-belt usage, looking for distracted drivers, and even special programs aimed at teen drivers. Dillard reports that Operation Smile will involve the assistance of local police departments in Kingsport, Bristol and Bluff City. Some departments plan to move more officers onto Tennessee roadways for daily patrols, and there will be more checkpoints overall, even on non-holiday weekends, Dillard says.
“We are going to deal with this risky behavior in an appropriate manner,” said Dillard. “If that means issuing you a citation or putting you in jail, that is what we are going to do. Our ultimate message to drivers is be wide on the road, use a designated driver if you decide to drink, put your cell phone up and put them up until you get to a safe place to check it, and mostly, wear your seat belt.” Law enforcement officials in Tennessee hope that the effort will help reduce the number of people injured in car accidents, and the increased rates of road fatalities and drunken or drugged drivers causing accidents.
Devastating car accidents caused by drunk drivers occur far too often in Tennessee. In fact, in 2008, there were 297 fatal accidents across the state where at least one driver had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or above, resulting in 327 deaths. If you have been injured in a Tennessee DUI accident, or if you lost a loved one in a fatal accident, consult our knowledgeable lawyers at Michael D. Ponce & Associates as soon as possible. Our attorneys have years of experience helping DUI accident victims throughout the state protect their legal rights, and can help you pursue the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering.