13-05-2025
‘100 Days of Summer Heat' campaign aims to reduce fatalities on Tennessee highways
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Tennessee Highway Safety Office and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) are cracking down on dangerous driving in Northeast Tennessee as the summer arrives.
The THP and highway safety office gathered for a press conference in Johnson City on Tuesday to announce the start of the '100 Days of Summer Heat Campaign.'
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THP Fall Branch District Captain Kevin Kimbrough told News Channel 11 that the initiative will target dangerous driving to reduce the number of fatal crashes in the region.
'Focus on hazardous moving, distracted driving, impaired drivers, restraint use and hazardous moving and speeding, and so, so on and so forth,' Kimbrough said.
Authorities conducted the same operation in Hamblen County and saw a drop in fatal crashes, with nine fewer when compared to the same time the year before.
Law enforcement agencies that participate in '100 Days of Summer Heat' will increase their enforcement on drunk and distracted driving through the use of sobriety checkpoints and other methods.
'You're going to see an increased presence from THP on the interstate systems and state routes,' Kimbrough said. 'You're going to see, first and foremost, the coveted THP motor unit, the Falcons. You're going to see your motorcycle units in every county in all 14 counties in East Tennessee, and [they] are going to be working on problem areas that have the highest number of crashes related to distracted driving, motor vehicle fatalities, impaired drivers, you name it.'
Kimbrough advised anyone hoping to be safer on roadways this summer to start their days earlier to avoid heavy traffic, avoid driving distractions and obey speed limits.
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