State Officials, Local Law Enforcement Call For A “Safer 70”

Dickson, Tenn. – The stretch of Highway 70 running through Dickson County has been especially deadly in 2015. Fourteen individuals have lost their lives so far this year in traffic crashes throughout the county. This is a 180% increase over the five fatalities experienced at this same time last year. Of the fourteen fatal crashes that occurred, nearly half of them took place on Highway 70. Dickson County has the highest year-to-date difference in fatalities of any county in Tennessee, tied with Davidson County.

There have been multiple contributing factors to the fatal crashes taking place. Three involved a driver who was under the influence of alcohol, six involved occupants who were not wearing seat belts, eight involved a driver who failed to keep in their lane, and two involved drivers who were described as careless and erratic. As the holiday season approaches and the roadways fill with travelers, state officials and local law enforcement are pleading with the public to keep the number of fatalities from increasing any further.

WHO:                   
Director Kendell Poole, Governor’s Highway Safety Office
Tony Burnett, Law Enforcement Liaison, Governor’s Highway Safety Office
Lieutenant Bill Miller, Tennessee Highway Patrol
Chief Ricky Chandler, Dickson Police Department
Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe, Dickson County Sheriff’s Office              

WHAT:                
Safer 70 Holiday Press Event

WHEN:                
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
10:00 a.m. CST               

WHERE:              
Dickson City Hall
600 East Walnut Street
Dickson, TN 37055

For more information about the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, visit www.tntrafficsafety.org.

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