THP Plans Aggressive Enforcement for Memorial Day Weekend

Holiday Marks Beginning of Stay Alive in '05 Campaign

Memorial Day Holiday Historical Information

May 25, 2005

NASHVILLE, Tenn., --- The Tennessee Department of Safety is launching a new highway safety initiative this Memorial Day weekend. Stay Alive in '05 is part of an effort to reduce highway fatalities in the state 10 percent by 2009. State and local law enforcement agencies will work together on enforcement and public awareness in a joint campaign to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities. It is being funded by the Governor's Highway Safety Office.

"More than 1,000 Tennesseans lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes last year," said Department of Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips. "Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest holidays of the summer season. We hope the joint efforts of law enforcement officers statewide will make the roads safer this year."

Thirteen people lost their lives in crashes on Tennessee roads during last year's Memorial Day weekend. Troopers and other law enforcement officers statewide will work tirelessly to reduce those numbers this Memorial Day weekend and throughout the remainder of 2005.

All State Troopers, including Captains, will work on enforcement during the four-day holiday period. They will stringently enforce safety belt and child restraint laws, stop speed violators and arrest drunken drivers.

In addition to the partnership with local city and county agencies, the THP is also joining law enforcement agencies in surrounding states for the Hands Across the Border initiative. This unified effort mirrors the Stay Alive in '05 campaign in its focus on catching people who violate driving and safety laws. As part of the efforts, sobriety checkpoints are being conducted across the state this weekend.

"The safety of people who travel Tennessee 's roads is our top priority," said Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Lynn Pitts. "The best way to stay safe is to obey posted speeds, never drink and drive, avoid distractions and remember to buckle up -- every trip, every time."

This year's holiday begins Friday, May 27 at 6:00 pm, and runs through Monday, May 30 at midnight . Tennessee 's deadliest Memorial Day holiday weekend was in 1973, when 26 people were killed in traffic crashes. Historical data for traffic crashes in Tennessee over past Memorial Day holidays follows.

The Tennessee Department of Safety
(www.tennessee.gov/safety ) is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the traveling public. The department's general areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education and motorist services including the issuance of driver licenses and title and registration activities. The department and its highly trained staff of Troopers are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles of state and federal highways.