“More Cops. More Stops.” Enforcement Campaign Targets Tennessee Roadways through Thanksgiving Weekend
Thursday, November 17, 2011 | 03:42am
NASHVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Tennessee law enforcement agencies for a national enforcement demonstration project. Tennessee is one of only two states selected to test the effectiveness of a new combined high visibility enforcement campaign designed to reduce drunk driving, boost seat belt use, and crack down on speeding and distracted driving, particularly among young adult males.
WHO: Kendell Poole, Director, Governor’s Highway Safety Office
James Hutcherson, Captain, Tennessee Highway Patrol
Chuck Forbis, Chief, Lewisburg Police Department
Jeff Long, Sheriff, Williamson County
WHAT: The state of Tennessee is announcing an important national demonstration project being conducted by only two states in the U.S. Tennessee law enforcement will participate in the “More Cops. More Stops.” enforcement campaign.
WHEN: Friday, November 18, 2011
1:00 p.m. (CST)
WHERE: Court of 3 Stars (near Jefferson Street)
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Nearly one-third of those killed on Tennessee’s highways during 2009 involved drivers or motorcycle operators with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above at the time of their deadly crash. Fatal crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a BAC of .08 or above jumped to 41 percent among those killed ages 18 to 34. Seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people in vehicle crashes. Sixty percent of occupants killed in crashes on Tennessee’s roadways during 2009 were NOT wearing their seat belts at the time of the deadly crash. Teens and young adults are particularly at risk. In fact, 69 percent of 18 to 34 year old passenger vehicle occupants killed in Tennessee crashes during 2009 were NOT wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. In 2009, 21 percent of the highway fatalities in Tennessee were from speeding-related crashes. Thirty-one percent of 18 to 34 year olds who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in Tennessee involved a vehicle that was speeding at the time of the fatal crash. Nationally, distracted driving claimed an estimated 5,474 lives and led to 448,000 injuries in 2009. Research shows that high visibility enforcement works.
###
For more information:
B.J. Doughty
TDOT, Director of Community Relations & Communications
Office 615.741.7736
Mobile 615.714.8556