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HomeNewsTennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security releases Memorial Day Holiday Statistics

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security releases Memorial Day Holiday Statistics

Preliminary Figures Show Decline in Fatal Crashes

Tennessee Department of SafetyNashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and Tennessee Highway Patrol today announced a decline in traffic fatalities during this year’s Memorial Day holiday period.

Preliminary figures indicate eight people were killed in traffic crashes on state roadways during the 78-hour holiday enforcement, which ran from 6:00pm, Friday, May 24th through 11:59pm, Monday, May 27th.

The eight vehicular fatalities is a drop from the 16 deaths that occurred during the 2012 Memorial Day period. This year’s holiday traffic deaths included five vehicle occupants, one bicyclist and two motorcyclists. Two of the five vehicle occupants were not wearing safety restraints and three of the fatalities were alcohol-related.

“The preliminary statistics on this year’s Memorial Day traffic figures and the decline in overall vehicular fatalities is an encouraging sign that enforcement efforts and traffic safety education campaigns are effective. State Troopers, local law enforcement and highway safety advocates are making an impact across the state,” THP Colonel Tracy Trott said.

The THP enforcement activity increased in several categories during this year’s Memorial Day holiday period. State Troopers arrested 116 suspects for driving under the influence and issued 1,384 seat belt citations this holiday. In 2012, the number of DUI arrests and seat belt citations issued were 94 and 1,067, respectively, during the Memorial Day enforcement. The total of commercial vehicle inspections also increased from 550 to 688 during the 2013 Memorial Day period.

Overall, year-to-date preliminary data indicate 353 people have died on Tennessee roadways, compared to 412 fatalities this same time period last year. That’s a decrease of 59 traffic fatalities.

A preliminary 2013 Memorial Day holiday statistical report 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 and Homeland Security

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to ensure that our state is a safe, secure place in which to live, work and travel; enforce the law with integrity; and provide customer-focused services professionally and efficiently. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services.

https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/PREMEM2013-05-31-12.pdf

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