Tennessee Highway Safety Office promotes "Safe on Seventy" campaign

During Independence Day weekend, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO), a division of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, will join Tennessee Highway Patrol and local law enforcement for “Safe on Seventy,” a campaign to increase traffic enforcement across U.S. Highway 70 statewide. U.S. Highway 70 stretches from West to East Tennessee spanning 500 miles across 21 counties, including Davidson County, Dickson, Cheatham, Wilson, Shelby, Fayette, Tipton, DeKalb, Cumberland, Roane, Loudon, Knox, Sevier, Jefferson, and more.

“The purpose of ‘Safe on Seventy’ is to raise awareness and reduce traffic fatalities,” said THSO Director Buddy Lewis. “All we ask is for voluntary compliance. Obey the traffic laws, and help us keep the roadways safe.”

From 12 pm on July 3 to midnight on July 6, agencies participating in “Safe on Seventy” will collaborate to combat impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving, speeding, and other high-risk driving behaviors. Participating agencies will also increase seat belt enforcement and commercial vehicle safety.

The THSO encourages the following safe driving behaviors:

• Buckle up and ensure all child passengers are properly restrained.
• Never drink and drive. Always find a sober ride.
• Rest well prior to driving long distances.
• Avoid texting, social media use, video-chatting, and other forms of distracted driving.
• Slow down and adhere to traffic signs and signals.

For more information and safe driving tips, please visit www.tntrafficsafety.org.