Far too many drivers with no regard for laws
Unfortunately, we live in a society which pays far too little attention to the common sense laws by which we are governed. These laws are aimed at protecting us while assuring our constitutional rights.
One recent Friday evening (6 p.m.-2 a.m.), traffic stops in Blount County resulted in 19 individuals being arrested and another 146 being given citations for violations of the law.
In the event you missed the story in The Daily Times, here is a breakdown of the 19 arrests:
• Driving on suspended license: 4.
• Driving on revoked license: 2.
• Driving under the influence (DUI): 3.
• Drug related: 1.
• Outstanding warrant: 1.
• Violation of the Motor Vehicle Habitual Offenders Act: 1.
• Aggravated assault by DUI: 1.
• Violation of order of protection: 2.
• Violation of bail bond restrictions: 4.
The following number of citations were issued:
• Speeding: 46.
• No proof of insurance: 26.
• Seat belt violations: 9.
• Child restraint violations: 1.
• Disregarding signs, signals: 4.
• Driving on suspended license: 2.
• Violation of Implied Consent Law: 3.
• Reckless driving: 1.
• Drag racing: 1.
• Violating the Move Over Law: 3.
• Equipment violations: 16.
• Violation of registration law: 8.
Many of these violations could easily be the cause of a traffic death. Perhaps of most concern is the number of individuals who openly ignore the various laws. They are laws for a reason, mostly to protect other people from these violators.
We think the lowering of the speed limit on Morganton Road, the county’s most dangerous, was a wise and productive move.
Traffic and the related violations are a major problem.
Many would like major highways in every direction yet they moved here and built major subdivisions in rural areas without any assurances of wider super roads.
Many residents who chose to live on the then rural roads years ago don’t want the narrow roads widened to the edge of their front door and the majority of the taxpayers are traditionally opposed to tax increases needed for both schools and roads.
In the meantime, we need to understand both roads and schools are essential, must be kept up to par while continuing to get the most from our tax dollars.
The recent Friday evening of widespread traffic stops in Blount County emphasizes the continuing need for regular saturation traffic stops.
Of course, it was not practical to stop all vehicles on all roads in the countywide enforcement effort as part of the “Booze It and Lose It” campaign.
It was a cooperative effort of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, Maryville and Alcoa Police Departments and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The results are the tip of the iceberg.
We hope every user of Blount roads joins us in appreciation of this outstanding effort to make driving and riding in motor vehicles safer by getting non-law abiding drivers off the road.
