Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch announced traffic enforcement plans for the July 4th holiday weekend. The special traffic enforcement operation will begin at 4:00 p.m. on July 3, 2012, and conclude at Midnight on Wednesday, July 4, 2012.

The July 4th holiday will be extremely busy due to holiday travelers and numerous special events occurring throughout the region. Special enforcement measures will be utilized during the holiday period to include directed and saturation patrols.

Chief Rausch said, "The specialized enforcement efforts are designed to slow down motorists. Speeding increases the chances of becoming involved in a crash. Add to the mix following too closely and driving under the influence and you have a recipe for injury and death."

During the 2011 July 4th holiday reporting period, officers issued 1,350 driving related citations. Officers discovered 158 motorists driving on a revoked or suspended license or they had no license at all.

Officers arrested 19 motorists for driving under the influence. Officers investigated 71 crashes with 16 of them resulting in injuries, and 1 of which resulted in fatality.

Chief Rausch said, "Keeping motorist safe as they travel throughout the city is our goal. We will be out in force this holiday weekend writing citations for those who decide to disobey the speed limit or who drive recklessly."

"If you drive while under the influence, you will go to jail," Chief Rausch concluded.

For more information or questions, please call the City at 311 or 215-4311.