Wednesday, January 13, 2016 | 11:57am
Tennessee Highway Patrol Releases
State-Wide Figures
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland
Security announced the number of traffic fatalities in 2015 is the third lowest
annual figure in Tennessee since 1963. The 2015 traffic fatality numbers are
reported by all Tennessee law enforcement agencies to the Tennessee Highway
Patrol (THP).
Preliminary figures indicate there
were 965 vehicular deaths on Tennessee roadways in 2015. In 1963, there were
941 deaths. The 2015 fatality number includes 112 pedestrians and 10 pedal
cyclists.
From 1964 to 2010, Tennessee
averaged 1,234 deaths on roadways. Over the 46 year period, 1973 was the most
tragic year, totaling 1,444 traffic deaths. From 2011 to 2015 under Governor
Bill Haslam’s administration, the five year annual traffic fatality average has
been 971, with those five years making up five of the six lowest years since 1963.
Nationwide preliminary figures
indicate an increase of about 15 percent in 2015 compared to 2014.
“We are making great strides in
reducing traffic fatalities with our data driven enforcement initiatives,
public awareness efforts, and special programs,” Safety Commissioner Bill
Gibbons said. “Our top goal continues to be the reduction of traffic
fatalities. We are committed to enforcing our traffic laws and saving lives.”
THP Colonel Tracy Trott said state
troopers’ commitment to enforcing DUI, seat belt, and distracted driving
traffic laws is producing results. State troopers arrested 7,805 individuals on
suspicion of DUI in 2015 and cited 114,047 individuals for not wearing their
seat belts. Subsequently, there was a 20.9 percent drop in alcohol-related
traffic fatalities in 2015 in Tennessee and a 3 percent drop in the percent of
fatalities involving unrestrained motorists compared to 2014.
“Our focus and commitment to traffic
enforcement and citicens’ safety are making a difference in Tennessee,” Trott
said. “We are making great progress in reducing fatal incidents on Tennessee
roadways, but we know there is more work needing to be done, and we are even
more committed to citizens’ safety than ever before. We encourage Tennesseans
to make safe choices. Buckle up, don’t drive impaired and don’t text while
driving because we care.”
The Tennessee Department of Safety
and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and
protect the people of Tennessee
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