RHEA SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO RAMP UP IMPAIRED-DRIVING ENFORCEMENT FOR NEW YEAR’S
The Rhea County Sheriff’s Department in Tennessee is ramping up impaired-driving enforcement over the New Year’s holiday to promote public safety. Deputies will conduct highly visible saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints on December 31, 2025, from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. on January 1, 2026, targeting alcohol-impaired drivers, speeding, seat belt violations, and other traffic offenses under a strict Zero Tolerance Policy.
Checkpoints will be set up at multiple locations, including Wassom Memorial Highway at Sandtown Road, Rhea County Highway at Cemetery Road and near Life Care of Rhea County, Hiwassee Highway at Blythes Ferry Road, Dayton Mountain Highway at Delaware Avenue, Rocky Springs Road at Muddy Creek Road, and Black Oak Ridge Road at Dean Corvin Lane. Sheriff Mike Neal emphasized that these measures, combined with patrols on state and secondary roadways, aim to significantly reduce drunk-driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
Officials, including Sheriff Neal and Chief Deputy John Argo, wished residents a safe and happy holiday season while reminding the public that a first-time DUI conviction in Tennessee can result in substantial fines, court and legal fees, jail time, mandatory treatment, and possibly an ignition interlock device.
