Dayton, TN – Rhea County Sheriff’s Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) for its “Booze It and Lose It” campaign from August 18 to September 6, surrounding the Labor Day holiday. This initiative coincides with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” mobilization to increase impaired-driving enforcement nationwide.
Sheriff Mike Neal said deputies will conduct Saturation Patrols along with Sobriety Checkpoints on state and secondary roadways in Rhea County. To ensure the safety of the public, the sheriff’s office will be enforcing a Zero Tolerance Policy on, drunk and impaired driving, speeding and seat belt violations.
“Our goal is to as visible as possible and do everything we can to prevent fatal crashes from occurring.” Saturation patrols are not all about citations, it’s about educating drivers and being visible so people will think twice before getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. “The hardest part of the job is making that house call and telling a family that their loved one is gone because someone chose to drink and drive. That’s why as always, we will show zero tolerance for impaired drivers on the road. Please find a safe and sober ride home.” Neal added.
Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of drunk driving, coupled with increased sobriety checkpoints and high visibility enforcement, aim to drastically reduce the number of drunk-driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities this year.
The consequences of a single DUI conviction for a first-time offender in the state of Tennessee may include costly fines, court costs, legal fees, jail time, mandatory drug, and alcohol treatment, and/or the installation of an ignition interlock device in his/her vehicle.
The THSO provides grant funding to support Rhea County Sheriff’s Office increased enforcement efforts during the Booze It and Lose It campaign. For more information about the THSO, please visit www.tntrafficsafety.org.
