Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Police Chief Sterling Owen today announced traffic enforcement plans for the Christmas and New Years holidays.
The Christmas holiday enforcement initiative will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 21, 2007 and conclude at Midnight on Tuesday, December 25, 2007. The New Years holiday traffic campaign will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 28, 2007 and conclude at Midnight on Tuesday, January 1, 2008.
Chief Owen said the safety of motorists will be a top priority for officers. To accomplish this goal officers will be aggressively enforcing all traffic laws. Officers will especially be looking for motorists who are driving under the influence, speeding, driving recklessly, or who are driving while unrestrained.
Throughout the two enforcement campaigns, the public will see an increase in patrols along the interstates and major arterial routes throughout the city. These patrols are designed to reduce the speed of vehicles, which in turn will reduce the number of collisions.
During the 2006 Christmas holiday traffic campaign, officers issued 716 traffic related citations. Twenty motorists were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). Officers also investigated 78 vehicle crashes with 16 of those resulting in injuries. The last fatality to occur during the Christmas traffic enforcement reporting period occurred in 2002.
During the 2006 - 2007 New Years holiday operation, officers issued 969 traffic related citations. Officers also investigated 72 property damage crashes and 11 injury related crashes. Eighteen motorists were arrested for DUI. One fatality was recorded during the extended holiday weekend.
Mayor Haslam said, "This is an exciting time of year for kids and adults alike. For the safety of everyone, I would urge all motorists to exercise caution while traveling along our roadways."
Chief Owen said, "We want to make the roads as safe as possible for both residents and visitors traveling through our area. We also want to remind motorists to drive defensively and to be courteous to others while sharing the road."