St. Patrick’s Day checkpoint

Sheriff’s deputies will conduct a sobriety checkpoint before St. Patrick’s Day celebrations from 10 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, March 16 on U.S. Highway 70 South (John Bragg Highway) near Mt. Herman Road, said Sheriff’s Cpl. Michael Rodgers.

“We recognize that the celebration of St Patrick’s Day often involves drinking,” Rodgers said. “We will be conducting a traffic saturation and DUI checkpoint to ensure motorists are driving responsibly.”

St. Patrick’s Day coincides with many schools and colleges during spring break, the approach of warmer weather and more drivers on the roads.

“While Rutherford County has traditionally not had a major issue with traffic safety related to the St Patrick’s Day celebration, we intend to keep it that way,” Rodgers said.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has been invited to participate.

Overtime costs for the deputies will be paid by a grant funded by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.