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HomeNewsTN Department of Safety releases Memorial Weekend statistics

TN Department of Safety releases Memorial Weekend statistics

Preliminary Figures Show Decline in Fatal Crashes

Nashville, TN — Preliminary figures from the Tennessee Department of Safety show seven people were killed in traffic crashes on Tennessee roadways during the 78-hour Memorial Day holiday period.  This would be a drop from the 16 fatalities that occurred during the 2009 Memorial Day holiday weekend and 13 deaths in 2008.

During the 2010 Memorial Day holiday, which ran from 6:00pm, Friday, May 28th through midnight Monday, May 31st, there were seven fatal crashes that resulted in seven fatalities.  Six of the people killed were vehicle occupants and three, or half of them, were not wearing safety restraints.  One pedestrian was also killed.

“We work hard throughout the year and especially during Memorial Day weekend to enforce the importance of safety belts,” stated Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Mike Walker. “It is the single, most effective way to protect yourself in a crash. Unfortunately, three of the seven people killed over the weekend were not wearing their seat belt. Taking just a few seconds to buckle up might have saved a life.”

The THP has teamed up with law enforcement officers from across the state and around the country for the high visibility national Click It or Ticket campaign, May 24th through June 6th.   According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008 alone, seat belts saved 13,250 lives nationwide.  When worn correctly, seat belts have been proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent, and by 60 percent in pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans.

THP also teamed up with the Alabama Department of Public Safety and the Mississippi Highway Patrol in a tri-state effort to “Take Back Our Highways,” May 22nd through 31st.  Tennessee Troopers conducted targeted patrols of major corridors and high crash roadways traveled by motorists during the busy Memorial Day holiday period.

In 1973, 26 people were killed in traffic crashes in Tennessee during the 78-hour Memorial Day holiday period, the highest number of deaths on record.  The lowest deaths occurred in 2002 when five people were killed in traffic crashes during a 78-hour period.

A preliminary 2010 Memorial Day holiday statistical report, which includes the locations of the fatal crashes, accompanies this release. Please note the official traffic fatality count may rise due to delays in reporting and classification of traffic fatalities.

About The Tennessee Department of Safety

The Tennessee Department of Safety’s (www.TN.Gov/safety)  mission is to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public.  The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.

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