Christmas season is a time of hustle and bustle, but local law enforcement is asking motorists to exercise care when commuting to family and friends for celebration.
McMinnville Police Department (MPD) is ramping up its patrols during both day and night in an effort to dissuade drivers from being reckless. Officers will be educating and enforcing all laws of the road, including speeding, distracted driving and seatbelt usage.
“Before, during and after the holidays, we will be having extra officers working solely to make our streets safer. Our hope is to encourage drivers to not be so distracted while on the road,” MPD Officer Mark Mara. “With the holidays, a lot of motorists are going to the next big sale. We want everyone to keep in mind that they can’t whip into a parking lot at a high rate of speed because you are going to wind up in a crash and not get to do any shopping.”
Mara recommends planning ahead when commuting and managing distractions while operating a vehicle. He suggests drivers determine how long it takes to get them where they need to be while driving an appropriate speed and to allow for extra time in the event of traffic snarls or unexpected slow-downs.
“If you’re traveling somewhere that you know or suspect could have inclement weather, I advise bringing blankets, warm clothing for your family, water and other things you might need in an emergency,” Mara said. “Be prepared to slow your driving and always weigh the risks before you set out.”
For those who have child passengers, Mara emphasized the importance of not dressing them in overly bulky clothing if they would be spending the majority of their time in the vehicle. According to him, a lot of layers can create difficulty strapping the child in and make the car seat uncomfortable for them.
“Your might be the best driver out there, but you’re not the only one on the road,” Mara cautioned. “You could be doing everything right, but the person behind, next to or in front of you isn’t being hands-free or is distracted and not paying attention to what they’re doing.”
In addition to MPD, Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is doing its part to make roads a little safer during this busy time of year. On December 13, a sobriety checkpoint will be held on Yager Road. At this checkpoint, state troopers will be on the lookout for vehicles with impaired drivers and take corrective action for other violations observed.
THP cites impaired driving as a serious crime responsible for more than 16,000 deaths and 305,000 injuries every year in the United States.
