Traffic Fatalities Down in Rutherford County

The number of traffic fatalities in Rutherford County dropped in 2008, which is believed to be attributed to emergency care, education, enforcement and economics (Four E’s).

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, there were five fewer deaths caused by traffic accidents in 2008 than the previous year.

The latest report shows that twenty-nine people were killed on Rutherford County roads in 2008, including two teen drivers, six motorcyclists, two pedestrians and one bicyclist.  At least six of the fatal crashes involved alcohol and ten people inside the vehicles were not wearing seat belts at the time of the collisions.

Even though there has been more traffic in the county, fewer deaths have occurred during the past three years with 36 traffic deaths in 2006 and 34 traffic deaths in 2007.  Across the state, preliminary numbers show that 1,002 people were killed in 2008, which is down by 20 percent from the previous year.

One of the reasons for the fewer traffic deaths may be linked to faster emergency care.  When a critical injury crash occurs, Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services paramedics have the authority to request a helicopter to be on standby for the patients before they arrive at the crash scene. 

Economics has even been associated with the decline in traffic deaths.  As gas prices rose last year, people drove less.

Enforcement by law officers in the cities and county, as well as education are also believed to be attributed to the decline in fatalities.   

“Through the use of public awareness campaigns, we have educated the public on the dangers of drinking and driving.  Through the combination of these efforts, we believe we have made a significant impact on reducing those killed in traffic crashes in 2008,” Murfreesboro Police spokesman Kyle Evans said.

Evans also said that any traffic-related death is too many, but they have been working to reduce injuries and fatal accidents by taking a multi-directional approach.

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