CLARKSVILLE, TN. (CLARKSVILLENOW)- The Clarksville-Montgomery County Traffic  Safety Task Force is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to increase impaired-driving enforcement from December 13, 2019, to January 1, 2020, surrounding the holiday season. The THSO’s statewide Booze It and Lose It campaign is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over nationwide mobilization.

“This is an annual campaign that comes up  during the holiday season, Booze it and Lose It,” said Lt. Vincent Lewis, CPD of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Traffic  Safety Task Force.” It will begin on Dec. 13 and run through Jan. 1. It’s a time where all law enforcement agencies  in the state have increased visibility and increased focus on expressing how dangerous it is to drive while you are impaired.”

Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of drunk driving, coupled with increased sobriety checkpoints and high visibility enforcement, aim to drastically reduce the number of drunk-driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities this year.

“We ask all Tennesseans to please drive safely this holiday season,” said THSO Director Buddy Lewis. “Our state and local law enforcement partners will be out in full force to secure Tennessee roadways. We want everyone to make it home safely, so please designate a sober driver.”

The consequences of a single DUI conviction for a first-time offender in the state of Tennessee may include costly fines, court costs, legal fees, jail time, mandatory drug and alcohol treatment, and/or the installation of an ignition interlock device in his/her vehicle.

“During the holiday season people tend to overindulge going from party to party,” Lewis said. “… we encourage citizens, as part of their festivities, to plan transportation.”

Lewis also urged everyone to be aware and report impaired drivers.

The THSO provides grant funding to support [Agency Name’s] increased enforcement efforts during the Booze It and Lose It holiday campaign. For more information about the THSO, please visit www.tntrafficsafety.org.