THP Launches Enforcement Campaigns

Nashville, Tennessee —The Tennessee Department of Safety is working to continue to reduce the number of traffic fatalities in 2008 by participating in three enforcement initiatives aimed at saving lives on Tennessee roadways.

Preliminary figures show that traffic fatalities declined by nearly nine percent last year, from 1,284 in 2006, to 1,169 in 2007. “The significant decline in traffic fatalities is certainly encouraging, but that does not mean we’re ready to pat ourselves on the back,” said Commissioner Dave Mitchell. “Governor Phil Bredesen has made it clear that safe communities are one of his top priorities, and that includes safer highways. We will only be satisfied when no life is lost on a Tennessee roadway.” Funding provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and distributed through the Governor’s Highway’s Safety Office is allowing the Tennessee Highway Patrol to continue its commitment to provide increased enforcement and public awareness and reduce the loss of life and property on Tennessee roadways. The Construction Accident Reduction (C.A.R.) program targets drivers who violate traffic laws while traveling through highway construction and work zones when road workers are present. Tennessee continually receives national recognition for having the best roadways of any state in our country. This is something that we are very proud of. In order to ensure that our roadways remain in top condition, maintenance and construction projects are inevitable. “Construction zones are dangerous places for both drivers and workers, so it is vitally important for motorists to slow down and pay attention,” said Colonel Mike Walker. “By increasing the presence of State Troopers in work zones, we hope to remind everyone just how important it is to drive carefully and watch out for workers and other motorists.” Goals of the C.A.R. program include: * Providing assistance to stranded motorists; * Increasing visibility; * Aggressively enforcing hazardous moving violations; * Enforcing safety belt and child passenger restraint laws; * Investigating crashes and expediting vehicle removal. Statistical data reveals that a disproportionally large number of “under 21” drivers are involved in fatal crashes. Alcohol presence and the lack of safety belt use are also indicated in many of these crashes. For this reason, THP is participating in the Strike Three Program to target young drivers who fail to wear safety belts and/or drink and drive. “Alcohol is involved in roughly 40 percent of all traffic fatalities. To remind young drivers to obey the law, we’re conducting sobriety checkpoints in areas they frequent,” stated Col. Walker. “Troopers will be on the lookout for young people who drink and drive, speed, drive carelessly or aren’t wearing a safety belt. It’s important that these drivers always practice safe driving habits, because their inexperience too often has deadly consequences.” The THP will also be joining other law enforcement agencies to conduct bar and tavern checks, ensuring that under-age consumption and possession violations are not being committed. Statistics show that safety belt usage in Tennessee has improved significantly since the introduction of the Primary Safety Belt Law. According to 2007 data, the safety belt usage rate in Tennessee was 80.2 percent, but despite this increase, nearly half of the people killed in fatal crashes that year were unbelted. “Our partnership with the Tennessee Department of Safety is essential to saving lives in Tennessee,” said Director Kendell Poole, Governor’s Highway Safety Office. “We will continue to support the vital efforts of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.” Goals of the Strike Three Program include: * Improving safety belt usage by five percent to lessen the severity of crashes; * Enforcing the Graduated Driver License Law and alcohol/drug statutes to decrease the number of alcohol related crashes; * Fostering safe driving habits among younger drivers. Troopers will also be participating in Selective Traffic Enforcement Programs (S.T.E.P.) year round. These programs consist of four initiatives: 1. S.E.A.R – Speed Enforcement And Reduction 2. C.A.R.E. – Combined Accident Reduction Effort 3. S.H.A.R.E. – Special Holiday Accident Reduction Effort 4. U.S.E. – Urban Speed Enforcement S.E.A.R. is a special highway enforcement initiative targeting drivers who fail to comply with the posted speed limits. There are three designated enforcement periods that occur during the summer months when traffic flow is typically heavier. C.A.R.E. is conducted during the major summer holidays: Memorial Day; July 4th; and Labor Day. This is a national cooperative effort designed to promote traffic safety and reduce traffic crashes during these busy travel periods by focusing on drivers who speed, drive while impaired and fail to wear their safety belts. S.H.A.R.E. is held during the Easter and Thanksgiving holiday periods. Like the C.A.R.E. initiative, Troopers will be targeting drivers who violate the law by speeding, drinking and driving and failing to wear their safety belts. U.S.E. is an initiative designed to ensure that motorists obey the posted speed limits while traveling on the interstates in Knox, Hamilton, Davidson and Shelby counties. Troopers will conduct saturation patrols in each of these area throughout the year on designated days. In addition to these initiatives, THP will participate in a number of life-saving campaigns, including “100 Days of Summer Heat,” “Click It or Ticket,” and “Booze It and Lose It.” All programs and initiatives will continue through September, 2008. Thanks to funding provided through GHSO, nearly 15,000 additional man-hours will be dedicated to these programs, allowing THP to continue its efforts to educate the motoring public in responsible driving. Tennessee may have experienced a significant decline in the number of traffic fatalities last year, but THP’s commitment and desire to further reduce fatalities on our roadways has not diminished.