Paul White
By Sheriff Paul White
Proms and graduations are traditions for our young students and the community. These times celebrate achievements, reflect on the past, and take the first steps into adulthood. Unfortunately, some teenagers believe the deadly mix of alcohol and driving is also a part of this tradition. Too many are injured or killed after the prom or graduation.
Our students headed to the prom and from graduations are reminded not to drink and drive. Deputies with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department will be out in force on prom nights and after graduations. Driving under the influence (DUI), illegal drugs, and underage drinking will get you a ride to jail.
The Sheriff’s Department also reminds teens that getting caught drinking while under the age of 21 can result in losing your driver’s license, getting suspended from school, ejected from sports teams, and even banned from graduation ceremonies.
Those establishments that sell alcohol are reminded to ID. Underage sales and purchases will prosecuted. Sheriff’s deputies will conduct an information campaign with our local beer permit holders to remind them of the importance of carding to ID all beer purchases. Spot checks of beer sellers will also be done and not only will the clerks who sell beer be cited, but underage purchasers will be charged as well.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, local police agencies, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting saturation patrols throughout the prom and graduation weeks. This traffic safety effort is supported by a grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, Tennessee Department of Transportation.
On behalf of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, please help us convey that deaths from alcohol-related crashes are preventable. Drunk and impaired driving is a choice—and a crime.
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