NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Safety officials say eight people were killed in Tennessee traffic crashes during the Memorial Day holiday period this year.
According to the preliminary reports released this week by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, that’s one less than the number of fatalities recorded during the 2014 Memorial Day period.
Officials say five of the people killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts, while two of the traffic deaths were motorcycle riders. There were zero alcohol-related traffic fatalities.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s “no refusal” enforcement resulted in 31 DUI arrests and 316 seat belt citations in the nine participating counties during the holiday period.
The “no refusal” law allows law enforcement officials to seek search warrants for blood samples in cases involving suspected impaired drivers.
