Traffic News April, 2010

The number of vehicle fatalities in Nashville are continuing

to rise even though a majority of them could have been prevented
by just wearing a seatbelt. I’m not sure what is will take to help
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

individuals understand the consequences of not buckling up. It is a

horrible feeling and site to see a vehicle involved in a fatal car
Traffic section newsletter

crash with minimal driver side damage and know the driver might
have been saved if he/she was wearing their seatbelt.
In just the few short months of 2010, there have been
twenty-one fatal crashes in Davidson County resulting in twenty-two deaths. Out of
these twenty-two deaths, nine victims were unrestrained. Four of the nine victims
were partially or fully ejected from the vehicle. If you are ejected from the vehicle you
are “four times as likely to be killed as those who remain inside the vehicle.” [1] The
most effective way to prevent being ejected from a vehicle is to wear your seatbelt.
“Only 1% of occupants reported to have been using restraints were totally ejected,
compared with 30 percent of the unrestrained occupants.” [2] According to The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), during 2008 “77 percent of
passenger vehicle occupants who were totally ejected from the vehicle were killed.”
April, 2010

These statistics are proof that wearing your seatbelt is the safest precaution you can
take to prevent injury or death.
If you are unrestrained and lucky enough to remain inside the vehicle, the
injuries sustained from the force of impact is likely to kill you. Seatbelts prevent injury
by “allowing the body to slow down gradually, shifting crash forces to the strongest
parts of the body’s structure, spreading forces over a wide area of the body, and
protecting the head and spinal cord.” [1] Automobile manufacturers have to build all
of their cars using minimum safety guidelines. You pay for this safety in the purchase
of your vehicle. Why would you not want to use something you have paid for?
“Every hour, at least one person in this country dies because he or she did not buckle
up. Failure to use seat belts contributes to more fatalities than any other single traffic
safety-related behavior.” [1] I urge you to think of this information the next time you
sit in a vehicle. If not for yourself, please consider your family and loved ones.
Choose to be pro-active and wear your seat belt!
*Information in this article obtained from: 1. Tennessee Department of Transportation
2. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

I wanted to take part of this newsletter to introduce the

new Traffic Section lieutenant, Kenneth Walburn. Lt.
Walburn has spent the majority of his 10 year career in
the Hermitage Precinct as not only an Officer but a Field
Training Officer, Sergeant. and Lieutenant. He is
excited for the new opportunity and looks forward to
assisting the citizens of Nashville with their traffic safety
concerns.
Lieutenant Kenneth Walburn
Kenneth.Walburn@nashville.gov
 The warmer the weather the more motorcycles we will
see on the streets. Not only do motorcyclists need to drive
safely but motorists need to be more alert and aware of
motorcycles on the roadway.
Last year in Davidson County we had six fatal crashes
that involved motorcycles. Half of the crashes involved only
the motorcycle and no other vehicle. Davidson County has
already had the first fatal motorcycle crash this year. The
motorcyclist was attempting to perform a “wheelie” and lost
control of the motorcycle. In fact, many fatal motorcycle
crashes could have been prevented had the motorcyclists
taken all necessary precautions and operated their
motorcycle responsibly. Motorcyclists must wear helmets and
some sort of eye protection. Eye protection is not necessary if
a full face helmet is worn or a windshield is present. It is also recommended that motorcyclists wear some
sort of protective gear that makes them more visible to motorists.
The majority of crashes that involve a motorcycle and another vehicle happen because the vehicle
has turned in front of the motorcycle. Out of all the motorcycle and vehicle crashes in 2007, in “40% of these
crashes, the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the
vehicle.” [1] Motorcycles have a smaller profile than vehicles making the speed and distance of an ap-
proaching motorcycle hard to judge. Due to the size of motorcycles they are often overlooked or in the blind
spots of vehicles.
Both motorcyclists and motorists must make efforts to lower the amount of motorcycle fatalities that
occur each year. Although, the United States has seen an increase each year for the past ten years in
motorcycle deaths, Davidson County has seen a decrease. In 2009 Davidson County had the lowest number
of motorcycle fatalities since 2003. Let’s continue to lower the number by driving safe, being more aware of
our surroundings and watching for motorcyclists.

* Information in this article obtained form The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

April 2009 fatal crash recap

9 CRASHES
HELP WANTED 9 DEATHS
4 UNDER THE INFLUENCE
School Crossing Guard
4 NOT WEARING SEATBELT
Call 615-862-7752 2 PEDESTRIANS
15 - 58 AGE RANGE OF VICTIMS

Page 2

TRAFFIC SECTION NEWSLETTER APRIL, 2010

 April 19-23rd will be the 10th annual National Work
Zone Awareness week. This week is dedicated to educating
motorists about the importance of obeying traffic laws in
work zones and the dangers that can exist in these areas.
During 2008, Tennessee created a Highway Worker
Memorial located in Smith County at the I-40 Welcome
Center. The memorial honors the lives of the 106 TDOT
employees who were killed while building our state’s
transportation system.
At the request of motorists, TDOT now has about
75% of their construction work done during nighttime hours.
Working at night does help with traffic congestion but is
more dangerous both for workers and motorists. During
2007, two TDOT workers lost their lives because people fell
asleep at the wheel.
Not only are TDOT workers at risk, but also the
drivers and occupants of non-TDOT vehicles in the work
zones. “An overwhelming majority of those killed in work
zone crashes in Tennessee are drivers or occupants of a
vehicle.” In fact, during 2007 “93% of people killed in work
zone crashes were motorists (drivers or vehicle occupants).”
The people most likely to be involved in a work zone crash
are teenagers.
Please remember as you drive through work zones to
follow the simple tips listed to the right and obey all laws.
Slowing down for ten minutes does not even begin to
compare to the pain of losing your life or taking someone’s
life.
* Information in this article obtained from: TN.GOV
Visit TDOT’s webside,
http://www.tdot.state.tn.us for up to
date information on traffic construction
and congestion in the state of TN. The
site provides areas where construction
is being conducted as well as road
conditions and traffic flow.
TRAFFIC SECTION NEWSLETTER APRIL, 2010
How can you participate?
* Display an orange ribbon on your vehicle.
* Keep headlights on throughout daylight
hours to show support of national work
zone awareness week.
* Wear an orange ribbon.
Tips for Driving Safe in Work Zones
* Expect the unexpected. Road sur-
faces and lane changes are very
likely in a work zone.
* Obey posted speed limits.
* Don’t tailgate. The majority of
work zone crashes are rear-end
collisions.
* Merge early! Once you see a sign
to merge do just that. Signs are
put in advance to give the motor-
ists time to change lanes safely.
* Avoid being distracted. Put you
phone down, leave the radio alone,
and pay attention.
Pedestrian Quick Fact
* In the United States 70% of pedestrians
killed in 2007 were males, 73% in urban
areas, 77% at non-intersection locations,
90% in normal weather conditions, and
67% at night.
Page 3
 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/
METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
aggressive_driving.htm. Another way we are
improving the safety of our roadways is through
1417 Murfreesboro Pike
education and information sharing. If you have a
Nashville, TN 37129
topic you need information on, chances are
someone else does too. Feel free to e-mail me at
Phone: (615) 862-7738
Erika.Bowden@nashville.gov with your traffic
Fax: (615) 880-2894
related questions. I will answer your questions
E-mail: Erika.Bowden@nashville.gov
and may also include a section covering that
topic in future newsletters.
Special Operations Division, Traffic Section

CRIME STOPPERS
Crime Stoppers - 862-7463 - Crime Stoppers can refer you to a specialized
crime unit if needed (i.e. - Gang Unit, Vice, Gambling and Prostitution, etc.)
Traffic/ Hit & Run - 862-7713 & 862-7738
You can also provide tips and witness information at our website :
http://www.police.nashville.com/
Call 74-CRIME OR
Text the word CASH and your message to Crimes (274637)
ALL THREE WAYS ARE ANONYMOUS AND SECURE.