Traffic Safety Coalition Announces Traffic Fatalities in Tennessee on the Decline

Online, April 11, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Tennessee roads are getting safer as drivers practice more responsibility on the road, automobiles become safer and police are able to take advantage of new technology to hold lawbreakers accountable through the use of life-saving enforcement tools such as red light cameras.

According to NHTSA data, there were 1,031 fatalities on Tennessee roads in 2010, down from 1,284 in 2006. Speed-related fatalities were also reduced by 23 percent - from 297 in 2006 to 229 in 2010.

Cities across Tennessee use red light cameras to change driver behavior and deter drivers from breaking the law. Statistics from these communities show safety cameras are working to reduce crashes and save lives:

• Jackson, Tenn. - Before installing intersection safety cameras, there was one fatality on Jackson roadways every month. With safety cameras, the city went more than 500 days without a single fatality. (Green Cove Springs Police Department).

• Piney Flats, Tenn. -Intersection safety cameras in Piney Flats led to an 80% reduction in reported accidents, from 80 to 16. (Don't Limit Speed Cameras, Tricities.com).

• Gatland, Tenn. -Intersection safety cameras at Alexandria led to a 56% reduction in red light running crashes, from 43 to 19. (Green Cove Springs Police Department).

• Red Bank, Tenn. -Intersection safety cameras in Red Bank led to a 13.8% reduction in collisions. (Red Bank, Tennessee Police Department).

Traffic safety cameras in Tennessee and across the country have the support of many individuals, including Tennessee governor Bill Haslem. While serving as mayor of Knoxville, Governor Haslem oversaw the installation of red light cameras at a number of city intersections. This is what Governor Haslem had to say about cameras in Knoxville when he was mayor:

"I understand some people didn't like them [red light cameras], but they worked. They made intersections a safer place." (Haslam to sign Tennessee traffic camera bill into law, Associated Press).