10.31.19
by

KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police Warning Against Impaired Driving this Halloween

 Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Kingsport Police Warning Against Impaired Driving this Halloween
DATE: October 31, 2019
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On Halloween 2019, but also on every other day throughout the year, the Kingsport Police Department and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office firmly believe that “Only a Monster Would Drink and Drive!”

As people are visiting Halloween parties this year, they are encouraged to remember that DRIVING HOME IMPARIED IS NEVER A VIABLE OPTION! The Kingsport Police Department will be out in force to make sure that anyone who makes the irresponsible, dangerous, and often deadly choice to drive while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is held accountable.

Beyond the risk of serious injury or death associated with impaired driving, being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can impact your life in many ways, including loss of employment, prevention of employment in certain jobs, higher insurance rates, serious financial setbacks, personal and family embarrassment, and incarceration.

The Kingsport Police Department continues to stress that Tennessee D.U.I. laws apply not just to alcohol, but to any substance that impairs the ability to drive, including illegal drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, as well as prescription drugs, even if they are prescribed by a physician.

The Kingsport Police Department is stressing the dangers of driving impaired to our community. Impaired driving is a massive problem in the United States, with more than 10,000 people dying annually. If you are out on the roads and you see someone driving impaired, please report it. You could help save a life.

The Kingsport Police Department recommends the following safe alternatives to drinking and driving:

  • Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you have only had one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation to get home safely.
  • Download the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) SaferRide mobile app available on Google Play for Android devices and Apple’s iTunes Store for IOS devices. SaferRide allows users to call a taxi or a predetermined friend, and identifies the user’s location so he or she can be picked up.
  • Call a cab or a friend. Use community sober ride programs if available.
  • If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the Kingsport Police Department.
  • Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.

Remember…Booze It & Lose It. Lose your license, your freedom, your life!

To download the NHTSA SaferRide app, visit: https://one.NHTSA.gov/link/SaferRide

For more information about the THSO, visit: www.TNTrafficSafety.org.

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s