Traffic Traffic News December 1, 2009

Metropolitan Nashville Police Department currently has multiple officers assigned to

the DUI Unit. In addition to this Unit, extra duty officers, funded by the National Safety
Grant, work on weekends to help combat the problem of driving under the influence.
So far this year officers assigned to the DUI Unit have arrested and charged 1,599
persons with Driving Under the Influence. Officers funded by the grant have arrested
and charged an additional 1,811 persons with Driving Under the Influence for a total of
Traffic Section Newsletter

3,410 DUI’S. As of December 1, 2009 the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

has arrested and charged 5,033 persons with Driving Under the Influence.
When most people hear the phrase “DUI” they often think of alcohol, but that is not
the only substance that can impair your driving. Did you know that between 1973 and
2007, 16.3% of drivers tested positive for drugs during nighttime hours? During this
same time period drivers over the legal alcohol limit, .08 BAC, actually decreased from
December 1, 2009

7.5% to 2.2%. Having a drug in your system, whether legal or illegal, that impairs your
ability to operate a motor vehicle, is against the law. According to studies conducted by
the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration in 60 locations, the most prevalent
METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

drugs are marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines.

This year alone Nashville has had 60 fatal car collisions, resulting in 64 deaths. Of the
49 collisions that solely involved motor vehicles 47% of the drivers were impaired. Of
those impaired, 15 drivers were over the legal drinking limit, 5 drivers had only drugs in
their system, and 3 had both alcohol and drugs. Potentially 24 lives could have been
prevented had drivers not made the choice to be under the influence while operating a
motor vehicle.

The Davidson County Sheriffs Office

offers a program on New Years Eve to
try and lower the number of intoxicated
drivers. Between the hours of 10pm on
New Years Eve and 2am on New Years
Day they will be offering free rides.
There are no reservations required and no
questions asked. They will give you a
ride to a house or hotel but not to another
party! If you decide to drink this New
Years Eve please take advantage of the
free program offered and call
615-862-RIDE (7433).
 In the United States, the rate of pedestrian fatalities in the past year have decreased by 13%. A pedestrian is
defined as “any person not in a motor vehicle or other vehicle.” Although a decrease is better than an increase a
problem still exists when 4,500 pedestrians are killed annually. As of last week in Davidson County, the number
of pedestrian fatalities are the same as they were at the end of last year, 11. In fact, Davidson County along with
Shelby County are tied for the highest number of pedestrian fatalities in the state of Tennessee.
The number one reason in the United States pedestrians are killed is because of playing, walking or otherwise
being in the middle of the roadway. The second highest reason is for improper crosswalk usage. Crosswalks are
designed for pedestrian usage but yet many pedestrians choose not to use them. Many pedestrians in Davidson
County have been killed within sight of a crosswalk. Having a crosswalk near you does not mean that you may
cross the road outside of the crosswalk. Signs are affixed at or a little before the crosswalk for drivers to be aware
of possible pedestrians.
It is important to think about what you are wearing when you decide to walk across traffic. A majority of
pedestrians killed have been wearing dark clothing at night which makes them obscure to motorists.
Being on a street whether driving or walking while impaired is a recipe for disaster. Impairment slows your rate
of response, affects your vision, judgment, balance and coordination. Below are a list of recommendations that
can help both pedestrians and motorists reduce the chance of a collision.
Regardless of all of the suggestions given above the simplest thing one can do is look both ways before crossing
the road!
STARTLING FACTS
HOW TO KEEP YOURSELF  “On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every
SAFE AS A PEDESTRIAN 113 minutes in The United States.”
 During daytime hours wear bright  During the year of 2007, 4,564 pedestrians were killed;
clothing. 70,000 were injured.
 During nighttime hours wear  In the United States 70% of pedestrians killed in 2007 were
retro-reflective clothing or carry a males, 73% in urban areas, 77% at non-intersection loca-
flashlight. tions, 90% in normal weather conditions, and 67% at night.
 Limit alcohol consumption if
walking. Alcohol and/or drug
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR CHANCES OF
impairment affects your judg-
ment, coordination, balance, STRIKING A PEDESTRIAN
vision and alertness.  Do not drive impaired!
 Use a crosswalk if available.  Be aware of your surroundings. If you
are driving through a highly populated
 Make sure you look both ways
area lower your speed and watch for sud-
before crossing and when it is
den movements.
clear walk do not run.
 Stay within your lane of traffic.
 If there is no sidewalk available
and you must walk on the street,
walk facing traffic.

*Information in this newsletter was gathered from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. www.nhtsa.gov
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TRAFFIC SECTION NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 1, 2009

 During the past month we have had two people killed in Hit & Run collisions. Below are the specifics of
these crashes. If you have any information please do not hesitate to call. You may call the traffic section at
615-862-7738 or if you would prefer to remain anonymous you can call, text or submit a tip online to crime
stoppers.
On Monday November 09, 2009 at approximately 115am a fatal crash occurred on Interstate 24Westbound in
between the Haywood Lane and Harding Place exits. A silver Chevy Trailblazer ran off the right shoulder of
the roadway and hit the rumble strip. When the driver of the Chevy hit the rumble strip they over-corrected,
hit the concrete median on the left side of the roadway and were ejected because they were not wearing their
seatbelt. The Trailblazer continued across all four lanes of traffic and came to a stop on the right side of the
roadway. Several witnesses saw a blue car, possibly a mustang, run over the driver lying in the roadway.
The blue vehicle stopped a short distance from the scene but fled as officers were arriving at the scene.
On Saturday November 07, 2009 at approximately 910pm a fatal crash occurred on Donelson Pike near the
intersection of Royal Parkway. Witnesses state that a large dark color SUV, possibly a Chevy Suburban or
Cadillac Escalade, was traveling on Donelson when it struck a pedestrian attempting to cross the street. The
vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived.
Remember, crime stoppers will keep your information confidential and if information given leads to an
indictment or arrest you may be eligible for a cash reward. Help the families of these victims bring closure to
their loss and make the person responsible be held accountable for their actions.

CRIME STOPPERS
Crime Stoppers - 862-7463 -
Crime Stoppers can refer you
DECEMBER 2008 FATAL CRASH RECAP to a specialized crime unit if
needed (i.e. - Gang Unit, Vice,
4 CRASHES Gambling and Prostitution, etc.)
4 DEATHS Traffic/ Hit & Run - 862-7713 &
862-7738
1 UNDER THE INFLUENCE
You can also provide tips and
1 NOT WEARING SEATBELT
witness information at our web-
site :
3 PEDESTRIANS http://www.police.nashville.com/
Call 74-CRIME OR
29-70 AGE RANGE OF VICTIMS
Text the word CASH and your
message to Crimes (274637)
ALL THREE WAYS ARE ANONY-
MOUS AND SECURE.

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TRAFFIC SECTION NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 1,2009


METROPOLITAN POLICE
DEPARTMENT
1417 Murfreesboro Pike
Nashville, TN 37219
Phone: (615)862-7738
Fax: (615)880-2894
E-mail: Erika.Bowden@nashville.gov
Special Operations Division ,Traffic
Section
The Special Operations Division, Traffic Section of the Metropolitan
Nashville Police Department strives to make our streets the safest streets in
the country for traveling and local motorists. One way we are able to do this
is by receiving tips from you, the Nashville Community. You can provide
your tips online at : http://www.police.nashville.org/bureaus/fieldops/
aggressive_driving.htm. Another way we are improving the safety of our
roadways is through education and information sharing. If you have a topic
you need information on, chances are someone else does too. Feel free to
e-mail me at Erika.Bowden@nashville.gov with your traffic related
questions. I will answer your questions and may also include a section
covering that topic in future newsletters.