Chapel Hill Police Department

11/02/2026

🚧 ROADWAY REPAVING NOTICE 🚧

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will be repaving a section of State Route Nashville Highway 31A beginning Friday and continuing through Sunday.

The work will take place between Unionville Road and Chapel Hill Elementary School.

Motorists should expect possible traffic delays, exercise caution when traveling through the work zone, and plan accordingly.

We appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation as this work is completed. Please slow down and drive safely! 🚔

10/31/2026

This Halloween Chapel Hill Police Department is reminding residents to stay alert and make safety a top priority. There will be an increased officer presence across the Town on Halloween night, focusing on protecting trick-or-treaters and keeping our streets safe for everyone. Additional police officers will be patrolling neighborhoods and roadways throughout the evening. Officers will be watching closely for speeders, distracted drivers, and anyone driving under the influence.
“Halloween should be an evening of fun with a focus on safety” said Chapel Hill Police Chief Andrew Kon. “Our officers will be out in full force, to make sure everyone gets home safely.”
For Trick-or-Treaters:
• Walk—don’t run—between houses.
• Look both ways before crossing the street.
• Use crosswalks, sidewalks, and traffic signals when possible.
• Stay in groups and make yourself visible with flashlights or glow sticks.
• Avoid dark houses and never enter a stranger’s
The Chapel Hill Police Department wishes everyone a fun and safe Halloween 🎃!

10/31/2026

10/19/2026

This Saturday CHPD will host a Car Seat Check for anyone who needs to have a car seat checked by a car seat technician. The event will take place at the Police Department from 2-4pm.

10/17/2026

As communities nationwide prepare for Halloween celebrations, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) & Chapel Hill Police Department remind all drivers that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Drivers must act responsibly and commit to sober driving to keep themselves, passengers, pedestrians, and other road users safe. In 2022, one person was killed every 39 minutes in a drunk-driving crash on our nation's roads.
Alcohol-impaired driving is deadly and continues to be a factor in fatal traffic crashes in the United States, including on Halloween night (6 p.m. October 31-5:59 a.m. November 1). From 2018 to 2022, 192 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes, which involve at least one driver who has a blood alcohol level of .01 or higher, on the night of Halloween. Drunk drivers, with BACs of .08 or higher, were involved in 171 of those traffic fatalities. People killed ages 21-34 (54%) were overrepresented in drunk-driving fatalities during that same five-year period. Victims in those drunk-driving crashes included 31 pedestrians and 138 drivers and passengers.
“A critical part of celebrating Halloween is planning to get to your destinations and back home safely. Those who are going out and intend to drink should make sure to have a designated sober driver or plan a sober ride home,” said Chief Andrew Kon. “We’re partnering with NHTSA to share the reminder that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. If you feel any buzz, you should stay away from the driver's seat.”
Drivers should be safe during Halloween by planning ahead if they intend to drink. They shouldn’t wait until after drinking to plan how to get somewhere. Impairment clouds a person’s judgment. Drivers should secure a designated sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare for a sober ride home.
If a driver finds they are unable to drive, they should give their keys to a sober driver so that person can get them home safely. When a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, friends should be proactive — take away the keys and help them get a sober ride home. If anyone spots a drunk driver, contact Chapel Hill Police Department at 931-359-6122 for non-emergencies.
Drive 100% sober, because Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.

10/03/2026

Pedestrian Safety Month

Newer vehicles have lifesaving driver assistance safety technologies to help pedestrians. These technologies include automatic emergency braking, rear backup cameras, pedestrian-friendly front structures and better headlights for identifying pedestrians at night. Know how to use these technologies when driving to keep everyone safe.

NHTSA’s Five-Star Safety Ratings system provides information on vehicle safety and tested technologies for keeping all road users safe. Learn more about your car’s rating: https://www.nhtsa.gov/ratings

School buses are designed differently than passenger vehicles and have safety features that make them better at avoiding crashes and preventing injuries. They are one of the safest forms of transportation for children to use to travel to and from school.

Be vigilant about using your headlights at night and in inclement weather. Nearly 80% of pedestrians are killed in dark conditions.

The future of road safety is here. Advanced vehicle safety systems can help prevent crashes and
protect everyone on the road, inside and outside the vehicle.

Automatic emergency braking systems have the potential to save at least 360 lives a year and prevent at least 24,000 injuries annually.

10/02/2026

Pedestrian Safety Month Tips

If you’re driving around neighborhoods, schools and parks, drive with caution and be on the lookout for people who may be walking, rolling or biking.

Safety is at the heart of everything we do. Join us in promoting safe behaviors for all road users,
including those driving, walking, rolling or biking.

Drive responsibly to protect the pedestrians sharing our roads. Everyone should get home safely.

Pay attention to individuals who may be using an assistive device such as a cane, walker or wheelchair; they may need more time to cross the street safely.

10/01/2026

October is Pedestrian Safety Month and here are some tips that will help keep both pedestrians and drivers safe!

• Whether walking to work, school, errands, or just for exercise, at some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian.
• When it comes to keeping pedestrians safe, everyone has a responsibility — pedestrians, drivers, and all those who use our roads.
For Pedestrians
• Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals at all times.
• Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
• Always cross at a crosswalk. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic.
• Do not rely on others to keep you safe; make eye contact with drivers when possible and wait for a clear, complete stop before crossing.
• Children under 10 are not to cross the street alone. Encourage children to find a walking buddy, and let children know who can help them cross the street safely — generally adults or siblings over the age of 12.
• Make a walkability checklist. Walk with family and friends in your community to determine safe and unsafe features on your walk, who uses the walkways, and note any other concerns. More information about improving community walkways may be found at NHTSA.gov/WalkabilityChecklist.
For Drivers
• Drivers must slow down and always watch for pedestrians. When approaching a crosswalk, yield to pedestrians and give plenty of room around crosswalks so that other vehicles may see them, too.
• Exercise extra caution at nighttime or in bad weather, since pedestrians can be harder to see and may appear suddenly.
• Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones, and in neighborhoods where children are present.
Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians.

09/28/2026

🚌 SCHOOL BUS SAFETY: SLOW DOWN. STOP. PROTECT OUR CHILDREN. 🛑

Each school day, millions of children ride school buses. School buses are among the safest vehicles on the road, but children are most vulnerable when they are getting on or off the bus and walking near the bus stop.

As we continue the school year, the Chapel Hill Police Department reminds motorists, parents, and students to do their part to keep our children safe.

🚨 STOP FOR SCHOOL BUSES

When you see a school bus slowing down or stopping, pay attention not only to the bus but also to the surrounding area. Children may be crossing the roadway or walking near the bus.

🟡 YELLOW FLASHING LIGHTS
The bus is preparing to stop. Slow down and prepare to stop.

🔴 RED FLASHING LIGHTS + EXTENDED STOP ARM
The bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. STOP! Do not attempt to pass the bus.

Remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving.

⚠️ Passing a stopped school bus is dangerous and illegal. A few extra seconds of patience could prevent a tragedy.

👧🧒 PARENTS: TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT BUS STOP SAFETY

Before the bus arrives:
• Arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes early.
• Stay at least 10 feet — about five giant steps — away from the curb.
• The bus stop is not a place to run or play.

Getting on and off safely:
• Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the door opens.
• Follow the driver's instructions.
• Use the handrails to help prevent falls.

Always use caution around the bus:
• Never walk behind a school bus.
• If you need to cross in front of the bus, walk at least 10 feet — five giant steps — in front of the bus before crossing.
• Make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing to make sure the driver sees you.
• If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver rather than trying to pick it up yourself.

🚌 Drivers: Your attention matters.
Slow down in school zones, watch for children near bus stops, and always stop when required for a school bus.

Let's work together to make sure every child gets to school and back home safely every day.

CHPD — Keeping Our Community Safe. 💙