News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Law enforcement officials expecting an increase in drunk drivers on Halloween weekend.
McMinnville Officer Mark Mara said many times people don’t realize how inebriated they are when they leave their locations after drinking. He said not only can this have legal consequences, but sometimes something more serious.
“A couple of years ago we actually had an impaired driver that hit a mailbox where trick-or-treaters were at,” Mara said. “So just imagine somebody being under the influence and then finding out they hurt somebody or killed somebody and we’ve got so many kids running around, literally, going door to door trick or treating.”
Mara said the best way to avoid any kind of consequence is to head into the evening prepared. He said it is always better to have a designated driver than to assume sobriety to drive.
Mara said the department partners regularly with the Tennesse Highway Safety Association. He said they use grant opportunities to put more officers on the road on busy holidays like this.
