Brentwood Home Page news reports

Starting this weekend, and lasting through New Year’s Eve, local law enforcement departments throughout the county are beefing up their patrols and being on the alert to help catch impaired drivers this holiday season. In Brentwood, patrol officers will be on heightened alert, Capt. Tommy Walsh said Friday.

"Although we won’t have officers on overtime shifts specifically targeting DUI drivers, we are committed to identifying and arresting those who chose to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence," Walsh said. "Our patrol officers are always alert to the indicators associated with driving under the influence.

"We strongly encourage residents to drink responsibly and use a designated driver," he said.

The Franklin Police Department is adding overtime shifts to help detect and arrest drunk drivers. The extra pay is coming from a $50,000 grant the department received from the Governor’s Highway Safety Office. The grant will be used for anti-DUI initiatives such as DUI checkpoints, saturation patrols, training, and equipment.

 “If you drive drunk in Franklin you will be arrested, and you will go to jail,” Franklin Police Chief David Rahinsky. “Just don’t do it.”

In related news, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office along with other jurisdictions will be conducting sobriety roadside safety checkpoints on the following dates and times:

Nov. 18: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Goose Creek Bypass (S.R. 248)

Nov. 19: 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. on U.S. Hwy 31/41

 Nov. 25: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on State Route 96 East

 Nov. 26: 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Carothers Parkway

 Dec. 3: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on State Route 96 East

 Deputies will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment.  Deputies will target those who operate a vehicle while impaired and take corrective actions for other violations observed while ensuring the protection of all motorists.

According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, impaired driving and impaired-related crashes constitute one of the nation’s leading health problems. These events result in more deaths each year than do total homicides, and alcohol is a factor in 33% of all crashes in the United States.

“These deaths are preventable,” said FPD Sgt. David Prather who manages the department’s Traffic Unit. “The holiday season should be filled with joy, not the avoidable death and destruction that driving drunk brings.”