Media

Deputies To Target Teenage Drivers In Traffic Safety Initiatives

Release Date: November 9, 2004

Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies are stepping up their efforts to prevent traffic accidents, speeding, impaired driving and other violations involving teenagers. The Sheriff’s Office was awarded almost a quarter of a million dollars recently from the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Governor’s Highway Safety Office.

“The money will allow us to have a continued presence on Shelby County Roads to combat two crucial community issues: dangerous driving and impaired driving by those under the age of age of 21. We’ll be out in neighborhoods, especially near schools, to remind teenagers to obey the traffic laws,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Sheriff’s Deputies will use grant money for overtime when conducting the enforcement initiatives that will focus on speeding, reckless driving, impaired driving and seatbelt violations. Deputies conducted several traffic enforcement “Click-It or Ticket” saturations since the beginning of this year. Almost 500 traffic violations have been written.

“This grant to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is an excellent example of how law enforcement partnerships can meet a vital need. We appreciate the efforts of Sheriff Luttrell and the Deputies for sending a clear, consistent message about these key issues in our community,” said Gerald Nicely, Commissioner of the State of Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Tonight, Deputies, assigned to the Patrol and the Metro D.U.I. Unit, will be working with Memphis Police Officers by providing additional security at tonight’s basketball game at Mt. Pisgah Middle School, located at 1444 Pisgah Road in the Cordova area.

Following the game which begins at 4:45 p.m., officers will be watching for violations and other criminal activity in a “zero tolerance” enforcement effort.

Last week, Deputies saturated the area near Millington Middle School following a basketball game at that school. Officers wrote 42 violations involving:

• Speeding-15
• Seatbelt -5
• No Drivers License-2
• State Registration-2
• Disregarding a Stop Sign-4
• Disregarding a Red Light-1
• Courtesy Tickets-13

Other grant money will be used to help Deputies stop the sale of beer and liquor to minors. During 2004, Officers assigned to the Metro D.U.I. Unit have gone undercover to conduct “beer stings” at area convenience stores. More than 30 clerks have been arrested for selling beer to people under 21 years of age.