McMinnville Police Department will be conducting a saturation patrol this weekend.
The effort was organized before the winter weather occurred. However, it was good timing says McMinnville Police Department Lt. Mark Mara.
“We plan these patrols ahead of time,” said Mara. “It takes a lot of planning to do something like this and getting officers who are committed to working it. So, we are going to do it, weather permitting. If it’s nice out, people are going to want to get out. Because of cabin fever, they will use any excuse they can to get out of the house.”
The Police Department is encouraging the use of designated drivers for people who need them.
“If it’s nice out, go out and enjoy it. Just don’t drive impaired,” said Mara. “As always, we are encouraging the use of designated drivers.”
Saturation patrols are designed to make highways safer and to increase public awareness of the hazards of drinking and driving. The idea behind announcing saturated patrols and roadblocks in advance is to prevent impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel in the first place as opposed to catching them on the road.
Everyone can help make the streets safer. If you see a vehicle operated in an unsafe manner, call 668-7000 or 911.
McMinnville Police Department’s saturation operation is called “Be A Survivor: Get A Designated Driver” and receives funding from the Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office to help pay the expense of saturation patrols.