Tennessee Highway Patrol Schedules Over 100 Checkpoints for the Rest of the Year
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is scheduling over 100 checkpoints across the State of Tennessee during the rest of this year to arrest drivers who may be driving under the influence and committing other violations. This effort stems from the THP’s recognition that the holiday season, especially the period of time between Christmas and New Year’s Day, is a prime period for the occurrence of parties and other events at which drivers are more likely than usual to consume some sort of intoxicant and get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Drivers who are found to be in violation of any law while driving a vehicle in Tennessee face a host of fines and penalties, ranging from extended periods of imprisonment to small citations. However, drivers who violate the law but do not get caught put themselves at a risk of loss as well.
This time of year is a time during which the roads are more crowded than usual as people travel from place to place to celebrate the holidays. With increased traffic on the roads comes an increased chance that negligent or reckless conduct, such as driving while intoxicated, will result in injury to the driver or some other party. Often accidents caused by drivers who are under the influence turn out to be fatal for at least one of the parties involved. In such accidents, if a party at fault survives the crash he or she could be looking at a substantial prison sentence and having to pay a large amount of damages in a personal injury lawsuit.
Everyone likes to celebrate the holidays, but do so responsibly. The THP checkpoints will not be able to catch every driver who may be driving under the influence or committing some other reckless act, making the roads and highways of Tennessee more dangerous than normal. Drivers who plan on using some sort of intoxicant at home or at an event or party should make the appropriate accommodations to ensure that they do not have to drive home.
Sources: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091221/NEWS03/91221007/1001/NEWS/THP+schedules+100+checkpoints+for+rest+of+year+
