Tennessee traffic deaths in 2007 lowest since 2003

A 2008 year-to-date total shows deaths are still on decline.

The Associated Press

5/30/2008

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Tennessee's traffic deaths in 2007 dropped to the lowest level since 2003, preliminary records show.

The Tennessee Department of Safety said preliminary reports show 1,210 fatalities in 2007, which is 77 fewer than the 1,287 road deaths the previous year.

The total is the lowest since 2003, when Tennessee had 1,193 traffic deaths, records show.

A separate daily count shows road deaths are still declining.

A year-to-date count through May 29 shows 370 traffic fatalities, which is 77 fewer than the count for the same period last year.

The director of the Governor's Highway Safety Office, Kendell Poole, said the drop is partly due to stepped-up enforcement and promotional campaigns such as "Booze It and Lose It" and "Click It or Ticket.

The release of the traffic figures coincided with a "Hands Across the Border" event Friday in Chattanooga where Poole joined officials from Tennessee and Georgia in promoting seat belt usage.

Federal highway safety records show 64 percent of the 15,046 people killed in nighttime crashes in the U.S. in 2006 were unrestrained, compared to 46 percent killed in daytime crashes who were not buckled up.

"Research shows us that there is a problem with drivers and passengers not buckling up at night, when the risk of a fatal crash is greatest," Tennessee Highway Patrol Lt. Jeff Mosley, said in a statement. He said that's why law officers have put an emphasis on round-the-clock seat belt enforcement.

Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely said in the statement that, "Seat belts save lives. Buckling up is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself when you get into an automobile."