The Tennessee Highway Safety Office will be putting emphasis on getting drunk drivers off the road as it has afforded Tullahoma with a $35K grant to help crack down on unsafe drivers.

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) is the state’s lead traffic safety organization for addressing behavioral safety issues. Located in the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the THSO partners with law enforcement agencies, government entities and non-profit organizations to develop and implement a data-driven, statewide highway safety program that addresses the behaviors that put motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists at greatest risk. The program’s goal is to prevent deaths and serious injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes so that all roadway users arrive safely at their destination.

The THSO is the recipient of federal highway safety grant funds distributed annually to all states by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). THSO allocates these funds through program areas identifi ed through data analysis as having the highest potential for improving safety on Tennessee’s roadways. Impaired Driving Enforcement Grant This program grant provides funding to prevent motorists from driving under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs. Grant funds may be used by law enforcement agencies to remove impaired drivers from the road through highly visible and proactive traffic enforcement, with visibility elements and publicity that educate the public about the dangers of unsafe driving behaviors. The increased enforcement addressing those behaviors promotes voluntary compliance with the law. At least half of the total awarded funding must be allocated for overtime enforcement conducted by officers trained and certified in Standard Field Sobriety Testing (required), ARIDE (recommended), and Drug Recognition Expert (recommended). Law enforcement agencies may utilize up to twenty percent (20%) of the total allocated personnel budget for community engagement activities. Reach out to your assigned program manager for more information. Grant funds may also be allocated to purchase supplies and equipment for use in conducting impaired driving enforcement. Equipment costing $10,000 or more per item is considered a capital purchase and must be approved by the THSO and NHTSA.

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office Grant is a reimbursement grant that will compensate the City of Tullahoma for approved grant-related personnel and equipment expenses up to $35,300.