THP Recognized with 2009 Commercial Vehicle Safety Award
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 | 03:37am
Tennessee Highway Patrol Reduces Large Truck Crashes & Fatalities by Twice the National Average
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) received the 2009 Commercial Vehicle Safety Award from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for significant contributions to improving highway safety involving commercial vehicles and commercial vehicle drivers. The award was presented Tuesday, August 25, 2009, at the AAMVA awards luncheon in San Diego, Calif.
“We are pleased to be recognized by both AAMVA and FMCSA for the hard work of both Tennessee Troopers and the state’s CDL Licensing program in reducing large truck crashes and fatalities.” stated Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell. “Improving the skills of commercial vehicle drivers is a high priority for TDOS and crucial to the overall mission of highway safety.”
In Tennessee, the number of traffic fatalities in large truck related crashes in 2008 fell 35 percent to 97 from 149 in 2007. Nationwide, the number of Americans killed in truck-related crashes fell 12 percent in 2008 to 4,229, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In Tennessee, the number of large truck occupants killed in crashes also plummeted, falling 46 percent to 19 from 35 in 2007. Nationwide, the number of truck occupants killed in crashes declined 16% to 677, the lowest since 1996.
Tennessee’s contributions to improving commercial vehicle safety went beyond the significant reduction of large truck fatalities and crashes. The Tennessee Department of Safety was also recognized for improving data collection that has allowed for more accurate monitoring of unqualified drivers, equipment or companies. In addition, the department received notice for its efforts in reducing fraud in both testing and licensing of drivers as well as reducing fraud in third-party testing organizations.
A national panel of judges made up of representatives of local, state and federal law enforcement and highway safety agencies selected the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) for the 2009 Commercial Vehicle Safety Award.
For more information contact: Selden Fritschner, AAMVA (703) 801-6903 selden.fritschner@dot.gov
The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.TN.Gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.