An increased enforcement against impaired and distracted driving netted over 100 citations and eight arrests just in one night, according to a news release from the Chattanooga Police Department.
The crack down, enforced by Chattanooga police and other local law enforcement agencies, started on Thursday evening and will continue until 6 a.m. on Jan. 2, according to a news release.
Just on Thursday night, 150 moving citations and 77 non-moving citations were written, a second news release stated.
Of those, 79 were for speeding, three for reckless driving and 12 for failure to exercise due care. There were also eight DUI arrests.
Local law enforcement is “urging community members and visitors” to “be responsible when consuming alcohol.”
DUI arrests within the city are already significantly higher this year, with 758 arrests made as of November, according to data provided by the Chattanooga Police Department. The grand total for last year was 619.
“If you drink or are impaired by any substance, be responsible by not driving,” the news release read. “Instead, call a taxi, Uber, Lyft, or a designated driver.
If not, drivers should be aware that dozens of officers will be deliberately placed on roadways “looking for drivers who choose to endanger their lives and the lives of others.”
That overtime for the increased manpower is funded by a Tennessee Highway Safety Office grant, the release states.