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Tenn. looks to reverse sharp increase in highway fatalities

GasBuddy Blog -- After achieving record-setting reductions in highway fatalities, Tennessee is now seeing a disturbing increase in crash deaths in 2012.

Tennessee Dept. of Transportation (TDOT) is reporting that from Jan. 1 through April 27 of this year the state has recorded 288 fatalities; 27 more than what occurred during the same period in 2011. In March alone, there were 104 fatalities across the state compared to 80 in March of 2011. In order to reverse the trend, TDOT and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) are implementing public communications and more aggressive enforcement of seat belt and DUI laws.

This week TDOT has begun posting a running daily roadway fatality count on overhead electronic signage in the state's urban areas...

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Submitted May 03, 2012 By: PD

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stopforgas All-Star Author Mississippi Posts:996 Points:480,955 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:41:31 AM Ignore stopforgas Report Abuse They should stop worrying about whether people wear seat belts or not. That's their choice if they want to be stupid and take a risk because it only hurts them. However, Tennessee should crack down on distracted driving, such as texting, eating, putting on makeup and reaching in the back seat to back hand your unruly children. :)
maryph1958 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,420 Points:283,095 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:41:25 AM Ignore maryph1958 Report Abuse ok
putz247 Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,281 Points:512,780 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:40:55 AM Ignore putz247 Report Abuse good
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,723 Points:1,661,790 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:40:49 AM Ignore LanguageMan1 Report Abuse Typically, it's mainly the drivers at fault to the greater extent.
Point__man Champion Author Raleigh Posts:4,335 Points:877,695 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:39:08 AM Ignore Point__man Report Abuse price of fuel may be causing an increase in use of motorcycles ;) no mention of increased fatalities due to DUI; so why increase enforcement ? Why no increase enforcement of whatever led to causing the accidents . . . perhaps lack of road maintenance ? etc.
MarAzul Champion Author London Posts:3,776 Points:679,485 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:38:22 AM Ignore MarAzul Report Abuse OK.
chyguy3 Champion Author Wyoming Posts:2,855 Points:859,540 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:37:06 AM Ignore chyguy3 Report Abuse Another old article.
PrepHermit Champion Author New Jersey Posts:8,101 Points:1,644,180 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:36:54 AM Ignore PrepHermit Report Abuse I expect the price of gas and oil to plummet with the release of this information.
DerTaubman Champion Author Detroit Posts:7,313 Points:1,530,020 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:36:29 AM Ignore DerTaubman Report Abuse Start by banning cellphones and texting while driving.
dacofa Champion Author Nevada Posts:5,373 Points:1,149,645 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:33:28 AM Ignore dacofa Report Abuse Thins the herd.
kst8er Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,882 Points:1,046,440 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:33:28 AM Ignore kst8er Report Abuse raise the price of fuel... that will cause a decrease in driving, therefore decreasing the number of fatalities, right?
IrishCowboy Champion Author Fort Wayne Posts:1,431 Points:572,380 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:32:41 AM Ignore IrishCowboy Report Abuse They're saying Tennessee is ahead for the year, when it's really just the month of March. Still bad, but a bad month can make it look like a bad year.
grammamNV Champion Author Nevada Posts:2,335 Points:372,425 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:32:05 AM Ignore grammamNV Report Abuse it's called "Personal Responsibility"
flghtmedic All-Star Author Pensacola Posts:517 Points:384,705 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:31:53 AM Ignore flghtmedic Report Abuse If police would pull people over for stupid crap they do we'd save so many lives. Just yesterday a car blew a redlight right in front of a cop who was turning left to the same direction. Cop didn't flip the lights on or go after him.
40mpgsaturn Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:2,495 Points:521,405 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:31:04 AM Ignore 40mpgsaturn Report Abuse Texting,cell phones & everyone is in such a hurry!!
planoiceman Champion Author Dallas Posts:3,278 Points:477,070 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:30:18 AM Ignore planoiceman Report Abuse Were cell phones the difference between last year and this?
9C1 Champion Author Chicago Posts:22,859 Points:4,246,585 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:29:13 AM Ignore 9C1 Report Abuse Evolution is at work if the increase is due to a lack of seat belts.
wilbur_gas Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,702 Points:647,110 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:28:19 AM Ignore wilbur_gas Report Abuse OK
herndonks Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,116 Points:211,685 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:27:49 AM Ignore herndonks Report Abuse I wonder how they compare to other states?
DimitrisIL Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,503 Points:523,740 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:27:36 AM Ignore DimitrisIL Report Abuse Driving education, patroling, and safe (quality) roads do make a difference with it comes to road accidents.
LongPlay Champion Author Albuquerque Posts:4,243 Points:1,240,050 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:26:14 AM Ignore LongPlay Report Abuse Cell phones get a lot of blame, but there are plenty of ways to not pay attention!! Changing the radio, eating, drinking, ...
quasar502 Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,583 Points:801,350 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:26:12 AM Ignore quasar502 Report Abuse I think texters are right up there with drunks. Seriously needs to be addressed.
4warned Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,814 Points:2,162,960 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:25:33 AM Ignore 4warned Report Abuse More signage to read? Could this contribute to accidents on the highway?
vincentV All-Star Author Toronto Posts:652 Points:137,305 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:25:30 AM Ignore vincentV Report Abuse wow
slowtrain Champion Author Georgia Posts:3,667 Points:948,900 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:25:27 AM Ignore slowtrain Report Abuse Slow down, especially the trucks.
rogerparry Champion Author Florida Posts:9,560 Points:1,916,430 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:24:37 AM Ignore rogerparry Report Abuse Let's hope they can reverse the trend.
arnerator Champion Author Seattle Posts:8,184 Points:1,618,140 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:23:12 AM Ignore arnerator Report Abuse Go after the aggressive drivers (and texting drivers)
civicdutie Champion Author Rochester Posts:4,511 Points:954,460 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:22:18 AM Ignore civicdutie Report Abuse Penalties need to be greater to curve fatalities. Talking or texting with one hand on the phone should be much more than the $75 slap on the hand they fine around here.
ted4636 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,486 Points:1,637,660 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:22:09 AM Ignore ted4636 Report Abuse tennatucky?
egd Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:8,095 Points:2,119,275 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:22:02 AM Ignore egd Report Abuse drivers are the key
bart_reed Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,974 Points:785,630 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:21:25 AM Ignore bart_reed Report Abuse Put those seat belts on and get off the cell phones and no texting.
Rednix Champion Author Miami Posts:6,153 Points:1,275,510 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:21:22 AM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse Could it be smaller cars?
gas_too_high Champion Author Columbus Posts:11,540 Points:1,933,360 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:21:15 AM Ignore gas_too_high Report Abuse '"Nearly half of this year's fatalities involved motorists who were not wearing a seat belt and we know many of those victims would likely have survived, had they been," said THP Col. Tracy Trott. "Troopers will be out in force and if you are not buckled up you will get a ticket," he added.' I highly doubt that there is a sharp jump in people not wearing seat belts. The cause lies elsewhere. And police resources should not be devoted to protecting people from their own safety choices, as opposed to protecting them from each other. GTH
hailsupersport Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,230 Points:231,060 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:21:09 AM Ignore hailsupersport Report Abuse ok
colaguy Champion Author Columbia Posts:3,171 Points:1,007,225 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:20:40 AM Ignore colaguy Report Abuse not good
ou812again Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,319 Points:670,135 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:20:39 AM Ignore ou812again Report Abuse ok
JWHITE1937 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,524 Points:997,005 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:20:05 AM Ignore JWHITE1937 Report Abuse What have they been doing up till now, not enforcing laws??
ED6 Champion Author Riverside Posts:9,484 Points:1,851,130 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:19:40 AM Ignore ED6 Report Abuse Cell phone/texting.
BlueVanGroup Champion Author Colorado Posts:7,204 Points:1,528,495 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:18:46 AM Ignore BlueVanGroup Report Abuse Has the accident rate increased, or have they just become more deadly?
VernonOR Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,915 Points:737,870 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:18:10 AM Ignore VernonOR Report Abuse Hope they find out.
techque Champion Author St. Louis Posts:8,655 Points:2,420,380 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:17:54 AM Ignore techque Report Abuse they don't list any suspected causes.
passin_gas2011 All-Star Author Ohio Posts:750 Points:142,320 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:17:25 AM Ignore passin_gas2011 Report Abuse hmmm,,,too many distractions
rhail2 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,452 Points:287,485 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:16:35 AM Ignore rhail2 Report Abuse ok
lonewolfhead Champion Author Texas Posts:1,651 Points:561,990 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:16:28 AM Ignore lonewolfhead Report Abuse OK
run4gxc Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,721 Points:611,925 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:15:46 AM Ignore run4gxc Report Abuse ok
WebGabe Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,369 Points:496,620 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:14:27 AM Ignore WebGabe Report Abuse Ok.
naw62 Champion Author Maine Posts:9,432 Points:2,216,915 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:14:11 AM Ignore naw62 Report Abuse They all are
pulpwood Champion Author Mississippi Posts:7,379 Points:1,859,605 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:13:39 AM Ignore pulpwood Report Abuse what you say morph?
shari128 All-Star Author Iowa Posts:573 Points:859,990 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:13:36 AM Ignore shari128 Report Abuse I wish them luck in trying to find out why this is happening & then fix the problem.
Harry813 Champion Author Iowa Posts:3,005 Points:661,865 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:12:50 AM Ignore Harry813 Report Abuse That. Is just sad ;(
Diesel_Ram Champion Author Dallas Posts:6,502 Points:1,518,460 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:12:24 AM Ignore Diesel_Ram Report Abuse Of course they want to.
fatboy97 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,484 Points:1,707,575 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 7:12:06 AM Ignore fatboy97 Report Abuse A repeat from days ago???