State Officials, Local Law Enforcement Call for a "Safer 70"


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Tuesday, November 24, 2015


CONTACT: Amanda Brown


OFFICE: 615-253-5152


 


MEDIA ALERT


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.