Roadblocks and saturated patrols will fill the Labor Day weekend around McMinnville and Warren County.
In the city, police Lt. Mark Mara said saturation patrols will be held from Sept. 2-6 within McMinnville city limits.
“Highly motivated and trained officers will comprise the team conducting saturation patrols,” Mara said. “Officers will be actively pursuing impaired drivers by patrolling streets and conducting traffic stops.”
Mara said the stepped-up patrols make the roads safer.
“The saturation patrols are designed to make highways safer and increase public awareness of the hazards of drinking and driving,” Mara said. “By removing intoxicated drivers from the roadways we can decrease the potential for motor vehicle accidents. If you get behind the wheel and have a crash after drinking and driving, it shouldn’t be considered an accident.”
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting driver license checkpoints on Friday, Sept. 2 on State Route 56 and Yager Road in Warren County. Highway 56 runs north and south through Warren County and the exact location and timing of the roadblocks have not been revealed.
“Recognizing the danger presented to the public by drivers who are under the influence and unqualified drivers, troopers will concentrate their efforts on vehicles being operated by drivers who violate the driver license laws of Tennessee,” said Highway Patrol Sgt. Billy Prater. “The Tennessee Highway Patrol has found driver license to be an effective means of enforcing driver license laws of Tennessee while ensuring the protection of all motorists.”