KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police to Conduct Two Traffic Safety Checkpoints Next Week

	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 to Conduct Two Traffic Safety Checkpoints Next Week
DATE:		February 28, 2020

GENERAL NARRATIVE
In partnership with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO), the Kingsport Police Department will be conducting two separate traffic safety checkpoints next week. On Wednesday, March 4, 2020 K.P.D. will be holding a Seatbelt Checkpoint, and on Friday, March 6, 2020 K.P.D. will be holding a Sobriety Checkpoint. Each of these checkpoints will take place at an undisclosed time and location within the City of Kingsport. In the State of Tennessee, violations of occupant protection laws are considered primary offenses, meaning that if an officer observes a motorist not wearing a seatbelt, or a child not properly restrained in a child passenger safety seat, the officer may stop and cite the motorist for the seatbelt or child passenger safety seat violation without observing any other criminal or traffic offenses. Occupant protection laws apply not just to the driver, and not just to the front seat, but to every individual in the automobile. At the age of 16, a passenger assumes personal responsibility for the wearing of their seat belt and would receive their own citation for not wearing one; however, the driver would be cited for each passenger under the age of 16 who is not properly restrained. Wearing a seat belt can easily make the difference in a motorist being seriously injured or killed in a crash versus walking away from the crash with minor injuries or no injuries whatsoever. The Kingsport Police Department encourages ALL occupants of ALL motor vehicles to wear their seatbelt ALL of the time. It is the law, but more importantly, it might just save your life. 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.