NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Highway Patrol is taking steps to ensure motorists drive safely during this Fourth of July holiday period.
The agency will conduct a high-visibility enforcement campaign beginning at 12:01 a.m. Thursday and ending at midnight Sunday.
State troopers will utilize a variety of traffic safety tools, such as driver's license, sobriety and seat belt checkpoints.
Last year, 19 people were killed in 15 fatal crashes in Tennessee during the 102-hour holiday period.
That's down from 21 vehicular fatalities during the 2012 Fourth of July period.
Of the 19 traffic fatalities last year, five were alcohol-related and 13 were not wearing safety restraints, including one child passenger.
One all-terrain vehicle rider also died during the holiday period.