THP Taxi/Car made its way into Coffee County on Tuesday… (L-R) State troopers, Sheriff Steve Graves and DeWayne Mullins of the CCSO and Mitchell West and Keith Hendrix of MPD… Photo by Barry West
The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Governors Highway Safety Office began a new program in the summer and began the program in Coffee County on Tuesday.
The THP, Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, Manchester Police, Tullahoma Police and other area law enforcement agencies joined together to highly encourage those who choose to drink during the holidays to not drive. Designate a sober driver or find an alternative way to your destination, like a taxi. The goal is to have a crash and injury free holiday season.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol and local enforcement officials need your help by accomplishing a record setting year by reducing fatal crashes statewide.
Three things you can do to help:
• Wear your seatbelt
• Don’t drink and drive
• And don’t be a distracted driver
The Tennessee Highway Patrol says it’s very appropriate for them to be at the Coffee County Jail to begin this enforcement. If you choose to drink and drive the THP, Coffee County Sheriff Deputies or patrolmen from Manchester and Tullahoma are ready to bring you to jail. “You Choose Your Ride”.
To send drivers a strong message: if you’re impaired, either pay up to $50 and call a cab or pay up to $1,500 in fines and spend up to 48 hours in jail.
In 2014 alone the Tennessee Highway Patrol made 204 DUI arrests in Coffee County. City of Manchester patrolmen took 61 impaired drivers off the road in 2014, Tullahoma 38 and deputies in Coffee County made over 150 arrests.
Sheriff Steve Graves says with 30 miles of interstate and nearly 700 miles of roads in the county law enforcement is doing its best to control the problem of drunk driving.
Manchester Police Department will be increasing traffic enforcement and will be conducting several traffic enforcement patrol saturations.
“We can’t stand to see this tragic loss of life again and again,” said Manchester Police Chief Mark Yother. “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.
