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June 25, 2008

TROOPERS CRACK DOWN ON AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS

FIRST WAVE OF "100 DAYS OF SUMMER HEAT" HITS THIS WEEKEND

"100 Days of Summer Heat" Statewide Activity (June 26th through June 28th, 2008)
"100 Days of Summer Heat" Statewide Activity (July 24th through July 26th, 2008)
"100 Days of Summer Heat" Statewide Activity (August 7th through August 9th, 2008)
Nashville, Tennessee --- Thursday, June 26, 2008, kicks off the first wave of “100 Days of Summer H.E.A.T.” by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.  H.E.A.T. stands for “Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic.”  Throughout the summer-long enforcement campaign, Troopers will be targeting drivers who do not use their safety belts, speed or drive while impaired.

“Troopers will be looking for and ticketing drivers who speed, drink and drive, and fail to wear their safety belts or buckle up their children,” said Colonel Mike Walker.  “We want these high-risk drivers to feel the heat because we know that speed, impaired driving and unrestrained driving are the top three causes of fatal crashes.”

Thanks to a grant through the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, nearly 500 overtime hours will be utilized over the next three months for the enforcement program.

"Our strong relationship with the Tennessee Highway Patrol has resulted in a substantial decrease in roadway fatalities over the past 18 months,” stated Governor’s Highway Safety Office Director Kendell Poole.  “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners in campaigns just like 100 Days of Summer Heat to ensure that our roads remain safe.”