Governor Pledges To Save Lives on Tennessee’s Highways

Nashville, Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen today added his signature to Tennessee’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan. The goal of the multi-agency plan is to reduce the number of deaths and crashes on Tennessee roadways by 10% at the end of 2008. It is projected that 127 men, women and children will be saved if the goal is met.

“There is certainly no goal more important than saving lives,” said Bredesen. “Each year millions of people travel Tennessee roadways and today we are signing a pledge to do all we can to keep them safe. This is an aggressive goal, but I believe that by working together we can prevent these tragedies.”

Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner Gerald Nicely, Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) Commissioner Dave Mitchell, Governor’s Highway Safety Office Director Kendell Poole, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Division Administrator Bobby Blackmon and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Division Administrator Jon Dierberger joined the Governor in signing the Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

The agencies involved in the plan will focus on the four “E’s”: Education, Enforcement, Engineering, and Emergency Response.

“As a major partner in this effort, TDOT is constantly looking at new ways to utilize technology and engineering to make our roads safer,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Safer roadway designs, higher visibility signage and roadway markings, and the use of cable-barrier rail to prevent median cross-overs are just a few of the ways that TDOT is increasing roadway safety.”
Out of the 1,270 fatalities that occurred in Tennessee in 2005, 464 were alcohol related, 266 involved driving too fast or exceeding the speed limit, and 714 of those killed were not wearing safety restraints.
GHSO Director Kendell Poole reminded motorists that simple steps can mean the difference between life and death, “So many of these deaths were preventable. We are committed to educating motorists on the importance of driving responsibly. Just buckling your safety belt, driving the speed limit, or designating a sober driver when you’ve had too much to drink could save your life or the life of someone else.”

“Enforcement and education work hand in hand in reducing the number of fatalities on our roadways,” said TDOS Commissioner Mitchell. “In 2005, 36% of fatal traffic crashes in our state were alcohol related and 21% involved speeding. The Tennessee Highway Patrol will continue to crack down on those who choose to break the law so that more people will be able to arrive at their destinations safely.”

More than 170,000 traffic accidents were reported annually from 1998 until 2002 in Tennessee.

Bobby Blackmon, FHWA Division Administrator added, “The Federal Highway Administration is committed to keeping our nations roadways safe and is a proud partner in this plan. We fully support Tennessee’s efforts to reduce the number of fatalities and traffic crashes in the volunteer state.”

The Tennessee Strategic Highway Safety Plan was developed by a committee made up of representatives from TDOT, TDOS, FHWA, FMCSA, GHSO, the Tennessee Department of Health, the Tennessee Trucking Association, Tennessee Roadbuilders Association, District Attorney General’s Office, Metro Nashville Police Department, representatives of the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO’s), Rural Planning Organizations (RPO’s), and several Sheriff’s Office representatives.

Some of the strategies outlined in the plan include the following:

• Improving information systems
• Procedures and tools for keeping vehicles in proper lanes
• Improving intersection safety with new technology
• Improving work zone safety
• Improving motor carrier safety
• Special legislation
• New training initiatives

“By coordinating our safety efforts and supporting more targeted enforcement, we know we can increase motor carrier safety,” said Jon Dierberger, FMCSA Division Administrator.

The Tennessee Strategic Highway Safety Plan will be guided and monitored by the Commissioners of Transportation and Safety, as well as the Federal Highway Administration.

“We have a powerful plan in place, and we will continue to search for ways to make this program even more effective,” said Nicely.

To view the entire Strategic Highway Safety Plan, please visit www.tennessee.gov/tdot/incident/TNStrategicHwySafetyplan07.pdf.