With the holiday season upon us, Nashville motorists are hitting the road, but several drivers are not obeying posted speed limits. Many residents are seeing more people driving well over the limit with fewer police patrols to do anything about it, according to WSMV News. As the New Year holiday weekend approaches, Nashvillians may wonder what the city is doing to prevent reckless driving in order to keep everyone safe?
Resident Lil Cook, who lives on Knob Road, has seen drivers going over the 30 mph speed limit, according to WSMV.
“Coming from Charlotte Pike to White Bridge Road, you gain momentum. It’s very hard to go 30 mph, you have to really focus. But it can be done,” Cook told WSMV.
In response to the speeding, Nashville and the Tennessee Highway Patrol are cracking down on it and other reckless driving behaviors for the holiday season. Here are a few things that the city is doing to keep you and your loved ones safe this New Year holiday.
Increased Speed Patrols
With the new year being a few days away, the number of traffic fatalities in Tennessee has surpassed last year’s totals, according to WSMV News. As of Dec. 21, the state saw 1,000 fatalities for the year compared to 902 in 2015.
In order to prevent any more traffic fatalities, and ensure drivers reach their New Year’s destinations, Tennessee Highway Patrol officers will be watching for speeders and any other dangerous drivers breaking the law this holiday weekend, according to WSMV.
“We just broke over 1,000 fatalities for the year. That’s not a number we’re happy about. Those numbers are families. Right here at the holiday season, it’s about families and getting together,” Sgt. Travis Plotzer, a THP trooper, told WSMV.
Sobriety Checkpoints
Nashville Metro and the THP will also be working to stop impaired driving this holiday weekend. During last year’s 120-hour New Year’s holiday period, there were eight people killed in eight separate crashes in Tennessee, with four of those crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver, according to the Times Free Press.
In order to prevent impaired driving on New Year’s Eve, the THP will place a sobriety checkpoint in Murfreesboro on Broad Street near State Route 840, according to WGNS News Radio.
The La Vergne Police Department will also enhance drunk and drugged driving enforcement over the holiday weekend by utilizing sobriety checkpoints, alcohol saturation patrols, and aggressive traffic enforcement, according to WGNS News.
“All our officers on Patrol will be out looking for drivers who are under the influence. DUI leaves behind a wake of innocent victims. So this is your warning- ‘Booze It & Lose It’,” La Vergne Chief of Police Mike Walker said to WGNS News.
Distracted Driving Prevention
Distracted Driving is on a rise throughout the nation and Tennessee is no exception. From 2014 to 2015, traffic deaths involving distracted drivers increased by 8.8 percent, from 3,197 to 3,477, according to the Nashville Patch.
With Tennessee hitting 1,000 fatalities for the year and the holiday season upon us, THP Colonel Tracy Trott is worried about distracted driving, according to the Times Free Press.
“I think distracted driving is a big issue and we’re trying to get our arms around it. It’s so difficult to enforce. It’s so prevalent now in our society. We have a new generation of drivers who don’t know anything but an iPhone and they use it constantly,” Trott said to the Times Free Press.
In order to reduce fatalities and keep travelers safe during the holiday season, the THP is resorting to innovative ways to combat distracted driving. The THP has taken to using a coach bus, which provides a higher vantage point to catch drivers texting or talking on their phone, according to News Channel 5.
They hope that the bus will help drive home the idea that motorists need to change their habits. “There’s never a good time to lose a loved one but right here near the holidays, it’s tough to knock on that door to tell them a loved one isn’t coming home,” Sgt. Travis Plotzer told News Channel 5.
The New Year Holiday is a time of celebration and joy as we ring in 2017, but Nashvillians must also practice safe practices behind the wheel. However, accidents can still occur, when least expected.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, due to the negligent actions of another driver, we can help. Read more to learn how our Nashville car accident attorneys may help you recover compensation. If you are ready to pursue a claim, please fill out our free, no-risk case evaluation form today.
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