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Forty-Five People Arrested For Impaired Driving During New Year Holiday Weekend Enforcement Effort

Release Date: January 3, 2005

The Metro D.U.I. Unit and Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies were on high alert during the New Year holiday weekend to stop anyone they believe was driving under the influence.

“We sent a clear message to people about the dangers of impaired driving by keeping a high presence on our streets and highways in Shelby County. The Metro D.U.I. Unit and law enforcement officers from various agencies in Shelby County are to be commended for their vigilance to keep motorists safe during the long holiday weekend,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Metro D.U. I. officers which represent the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Memphis Police Department and Germantown Police Department, tested many drivers for alcohol use from 7 a.m. Thursday morning to 7 a.m. today. In 45 instances, people were arrested.

The traffic safety effort also involved “zero tolerance” patrols and a seat belt check-point which was conducted on Riverdale near Holmes Road in South-East Shelby County. Metro D.U. I. Officers and Deputies issued 101 tickets between 9:30 Thursday night until 2:00 Friday morning.

A total of 117 traffic violations were written by the Metro D.U.I. Unit and Deputies during the weekend, with the majority of violations involving drivers and their passengers not wearing seat belts.

“Our high visibility traffic initiatives will be on-going, especially through Super Bowl weekend next month. Working in partnership with the Governor's Highway Safety Office, we plan to have Deputies out at all hours watching for impaired drivers and those in vehicles not wearing seat belts. So many lives could be saved in 2005 if people would wear their seat belts and do not drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs,” added Sheriff Luttrell.

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