MARYVILLE (WATE) - Blount County sheriff's deputies took three people into custody and issued 157 citations Friday night into Saturday during a saturation effort.
The enforcement was conducted in an area west of Montvale Road and south of U.S. Highway 321. It included the Happy Valley community.
Ten deputies worked a total of 100 man-hours from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Two people were arrested on outstanding warrants, and one person was arrested on possession of a Schedule III controlled substance.
Fifty people were cited for speeding, 39 for not having insurance and 21 for registration violations.
The speed limit on Morganton Road was reduced on reduced May 15 from 45 to 35 mph to William Blount Drive, and 40 mph to the Loudon County line.
The sheriff's says the reduction is due to numerous injury and fatal accidents on Morganton and other roads in that area over the years.
In the past 10 years, there have been 42 traffic fatalities in the saturation enforcement area, the highest of any of the sheriff's office four patrol zones.
Since the speed limit reduction on Morganton Road, there have been 66 percent fewer crashes than the same time period in 2011. Deputies will continue extra traffic enforcement in that area.
