Media

Metro D.U.I. Officers Begin “Designate Before You Celebrate” Campaign To Curb Impaired Driving

Release Date: December 7, 2004

This weekend, the Metro D.U.I. Unit as well as Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies, will be on high alert to stop anyone they believe may be driving under the influence.

“We know this is one of the busiest times of the year for holiday shoppers. We’ll be using every possible resource to keep our streets safe from impaired drivers,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H . Luttrell, Jr.

This Saturday night, December 11, 2004, Officers will begin the “Designate Before You Celebrate” campaign. During the first phase of the campaign Saturday evening, D.U.I. Squad Officers will be personally visiting convenience stores to remind store clerks that no beer should be sold to anyone below the age of 21. Shelby County Deputies will assist by handing out flyers, posters and buttons about the enforcement initiative.

Later that evening, teams of Deputies will be visiting restaurants and bars to remind employees about under-age drinking, and to be aware of patrons who attempt to drive while impaired. Customers who consume alcohol will be urged to designate another person to drive them from the establishment.

Finally, during the late-night hours on Saturday and the early-morning hours on Sunday, the D.U.I. Squad and Sheriff’s Deputies will be out in force watching for impaired drivers. Overtime costs are being underwritten through a grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program.

“Last year, no one was killed in Shelby County by an impaired driver during the ‘Designate Before You Celebrate’ campaign. That is our goal this holiday season,” added Sheriff Luttrell.
The “Designate Before You Celebrate” initiative will be on-going through “Super Bowl” weekend, February 5-6, 2005.