THP Captain Advises Drivers to Travel Safely During Labor Day Weekend

Tennessee Highway Patrol Captain R.C. Christian advises those travelling during Labor Day weekend to drive safely.

Christian said the THP will have an increased presence on the roadway during the holiday weekend.

“Naturally, we’re going to be looking at the lake access areas and places like that where people will be frequenting this weekend,” Christian said. “One of the big elements with that is we’re always looking for impaired drivers whether it’s alcohol or drugs or whatever the case may be. We’re definitely going to be keeping an eye out for that.”

Christian said one of the more common arrests and citations made over holiday weekends is impaired driving.

“I hate to admit it but even at all times of the day, [troopers] are making arrests for impaired drivers,” Christian said. “That’s just kind of how the way things have changed with people who are under the influence of drugs this day and time. It’s always being diligent and always looking for that offender that’s violating this.”

Christian said the THP will also be looking for unrestrained drivers while patrolling the area. He added statistics show a 35 percent fatality rate in unrestrained drivers in accidents within the Upper Cumberland.

“We’re seeing increased numbers there but anytime that you see a crash where someone would still be alive today if they had simply just put their seat belt on,” Christian said, “that definitely is something that is worthy of our attention.”

Christian said troopers are also concerned over heavy traffic and the risk for accidents as high school and college football season pick up and create additional hazards.

“Friday nights are very busy. We’ve got people that’s going to be travelling,” Christian said. “I-40 through our district is always heavy when [Tennessee} has a home game and even at Tennessee Tech we have a lot of people coming in and out as well. All these times, we stay aware of that, and we deploy our troopers to those areas just to be aware in looking for things, monitoring, and investigating crashes when we’re called to do so.”

Christian said administrative personnel from the THP will assist in patrolling the roadways this weekend.