Latest news with #TennesseeHighwaySafetyOffice
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Online vote for best-looking law enforcement cruiser happening now
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — There's a stiff competition going on between law enforcement agencies across Tennessee, and Middle Tennessee is represented in the mix. The 2025 Tennessee's Best-Looking Cruiser contest brings in law enforcement across the whole state, and is a way to get the community involved. From now until June 20, you can vote on the best-looking cruiser in the state. All inmates accounted for at Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility after riot It's a campaign the Tennessee Highway Safety Office has been putting on since 2021. The winning agency will be selected based on ranked voting. On the website you'll see the pictures of all the departments participating and submit your favorite picks. THSO said the contest is a way to bridge the law enforcement-community gap, and also a way to build them up. Armed man killed by Metro officer in Nashville 'It is about pride, representing your region, representing your county and supporting your agency so they can win the trophy and be the best of the best in Tennessee,' Tennessee Highway Safety Public Information Officer Arriale Tabson said. The contest winner will be announced and awarded at the law enforcement challenge in August. Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘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.' Nolichucky raft guides likely to lose 2025 season in Gorge 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Our lives have meaning': Motorcyclists, law enforcement push safety awareness
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Multiple law enforcement agencies gathered in Nashville Friday morning to promote motorcycle safety. Not only is May Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, it's also the time of year in which most motorcyclists get back on their bikes and hit the roads. According to data provided by the state, motorcyclist deaths went down in 2024 from 2023, but 194 lives were still lost to crashes. Just four full months into 2025, there have been 44 deaths involving motorcycles reported in Tennessee. APRIL 2025: Motorcyclist dies after crashing into pickup truck in Hermitage The Tennessee Highway Safety Office, in partnership with Metro police, AAA, Nashville Department of Transportation and many others, spoke Friday on the issue and best practices to follow, like the popular slogan 'Look Twice.' The list of speakers ranged from a Vanderbilt doctor, to a woman who lost her fiancé in a motorcycle crash; many voices with different perspectives, but one shared goal: reduce motorcycle deaths. One speaker, a Metro police motorcycle officer, was rear-ended last November while stopped at a red light. 'I remember being thrown about 60 feet. I never heard any brakes screeching or anything, so in my opinion, he never hit brakes,' said Officer Cory West. 'And it just shows you how things can happen so quickly. And when riding motorcycles, it can be of no fault of your own.' Motorcyclist killed in Murfreesboro crash Then there's Nick Daley, who was forced to crash his motorcycle to avoid running into a distracted driver that pulled out suddenly in front of him in Rutherford County. 'I was saved by an off-duty Murfreesboro city police officer, who ran out into the road and pulled me to the curb,' Daley said. 'We try and ride as safe as we can. But when something like this happens, medical bills, lost wages, and unbelievable hardships [ensue] for the families. We're often a misunderstood breed. But our lives have meaning.' 'The first thought that went through my head whenever she pulled in front of me was whether or not this was going to be the last time I ever ride; the last time I ever come home,' Daley continued. 'How many friends and people that you know in the motorcycle community have you lost?' asked News 2 Sam Chimenti. 'So far in the last year, I'd say upwards of 10. Or more,' answered Daley, spotlighting how close the motorcycle community is in Middle Tennessee. ⏩ Events like Friday's are about making sure motorcyclists— and drivers— don't become another number in a sad tally. 'We try to get our message out as much as possible,' said Buddy Lewis, director for the Tennessee Highway Safety Office. 'Traffic safety is public safety. Anything that we can do to change the behavior to save lives on our roadways, that's what we're all about.' Officer West, Lewis, Daley and others stressed the importance of education in helping prevention. News 2 also asked Daley, who just had his crash in February, what his main message would be to drivers. He replied, 'Get off your phone while you're driving. You never know how quickly things can change.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tennessee is among worst state for drivers. 'Operation hands-free' aims to curb that
Watch out, Tennessee, using a phone while driving could get you in trouble this month. Starting April 1, the state of Tennessee is launching its "Operation Hands-Free" for the entire month of April. Officers from all major patrol divisions will aid local officials in the month-long endeavor. The operation aims to crack down on drivers who use their phones while on the road. Here's what to know about the initiative. According to Tennessee's Hands-Free Law, it is illegal for drivers to hold a cell phone or mobile device with any part of their body. This month, police will take extra time to make sure drivers are not driving while distracted. In April, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol will partner with TDOT, local law enforcement, and other traffic safety partners. The goal of the project is to crack down on bad driving, which caused 7.7 crashes per 100,000 in the state last year. While Tennessee is not the worst state for drivers, it is certainly not the best. According to ConsumerAffairs, Tennessee ranked as the No. 11 worst state for drivers. The state has a crash score of 38.6. Per 100,000 people, Tennessee had: 7.7 crashes related to bad driving 19 total fatalities 2.5 fatalities involving DUI 3.2 fatalities involving speeding 6.3 fatalities involving positive blood alcohol content Memphis repeats as city with worst drivers for second year in a row Memphis ranked as the city with the worst drivers for two consecutive years, scoring 77.3 out of 100. Memphis had the highest number of crash fatalities at 36.2 per 100,000 people and fatalities involving a driver with a positive blood alcohol content in the country at 13.5 per 100,000 people. Regarding bad driving, Memphis was also the worst city for crashes related to poor driving, with 16.5 crashes per 100,000 people. The national average is five crashes per 100,000 people. Other Tennessee cities ranked as worst for drivers include Knoxville at No. 25, Chattanooga at No. 34, Nashville at No. 53, Clarksville at No. 93, and Murfreesboro at No. 185. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What is 'Operation Hands Free'? Tennessee tries to curb bad driving
