Tipton County to participate in New Year's Eve 'No Refusal' campaign | News

Five people lost their lives in vehicular crashes on Tennessee roadways during last year’s New Year’s Eve holiday period.

Sixty percent of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-related crashes.

That’s why the Tennessee Highway Patrol will join with local law enforcement agencies to conduct another “No Refusal” DUI enforcement campaign during the 2012-13 New Year’s Eve holiday, beginning at 6 p.m., Friday, December 28 and concluding at midnight on Tuesday, January 1, 2013.

“No Refusal” is the latest enforcement strategy aimed at deterring impaired driving and reducing fatal crashes on Tennessee roadways.

The law, passed this year by the General Assembly, allows law enforcement officials to seek search warrants for blood samples in cases involving suspected impaired drivers.

Previous “No Refusal” enforcements in Tennessee have been held during several holiday periods this year, including the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving.

“The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s eight district captains have worked tirelessly to coordinate this effort with local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, judges and emergency services personnel in their respective regions,” said Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons.

“They take their duty to ensure the public’s safety seriously, and this enforcement effort is proof of their commitment.”

During the New Year’s Eve period, two counties from each of the eight THP Districts will participate in the No Refusal campaign, including Tipton County.