CITY OF JOHNSON CITY
JOHNSON CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE
Prepared By: | MPOII Allan Rutledge | Date: | 06/29/17 | Time: | 11:30am |
Subject: | DUI Enforcement Patrols | Approved By: | Chief Mark Sirois |
The Johnson City Police Department will be placing additional officers on the streets this Fourth of July holiday weekend on the lookout for impaired drivers. These high visibility patrols will be conducted in partnership with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. The Tennessee Highway Safety Office is providing grant overtime funding for Johnson City officers to conduct these DUI enforcement patrols aimed at removing impaired drivers from the road during this busy holiday weekend.
“Every year, especially around the Fourth, we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as Americans,” said Chief Mark Sirois. “With freedom comes responsibility, and that includes looking out for the well-being of our fellow citizens. One of the best ways to do that is through responsible driving and ensuring our friends and family members don’t get behind the wheel if they are impaired.”
During the 2016 Fourth of July holiday weekend, the Police Department arrested four drivers suspected of driving under the influence. While only one vehicle crash involving alcohol was recorded during last year’s holiday weekend, it did result in an injury to one motorist. The Johnson City Police Department reminds everyone that “buzzed” driving is drunk driving. Getting behind the wheel after only one drink can lead to disaster. While the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08, even a slight alcoholic “buzz” below that limit can be unsafe for drivers and lead to an arrest for impaired driving.
Grant is funded by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.