Decline In Traffic Fatalities Over New Year’s Holiday Weekend

Nashville, TN (2011-01-08) Preliminary reports indicate three people were killed during the New Year’s holiday weekend, compared with 13 fatalities during last year’s holiday. Statistics for the 2010-2011 New Year’s holiday reflect the time period from 6 p.m., Thursday, December 30, 2010, to midnight Sunday, January 2, 2011.

If preliminary figures hold true, the latest New Year’s holiday period statistics resulted in the lowest number of traffic deaths since 1982-83, when eight people were killed on Tennessee roadways. In 1982-83, the official holiday period was also a 78-hour period.

There were three fatal crashes during the 2010-2011 New Year’s holiday period. Two were single vehicle crashes, while one was a multiple vehicle wreck. One of two victims was not wearing safety restraints. Alcohol was not a factor in any of the three crashes, which represents a decline from four alcohol-related fatalities in 2009-10.

THP also joined local law enforcement agencies in Williamson County to conduct a multi-jurisdictional DUI enforcement blitz during the New Year’s holiday weekend. State Troopers teamed up with more than 30 officers from the Franklin and Brentwood Police Departments and the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office during the 12-hour, Operation DUI Blitz. The enforcement campaign began at 4 p.m., Friday, December 31, 2010 and ended at 4 a.m., Saturday, January 1, 2011.

Operation DUI Blitz resulted in 194 citations, two DUI arrests, 21 arrests, 30 bar checks and three worked crashes.

The highest number of fatalities recorded during the New Year’s holiday period occurred during the 78-hour period in 1970-71, when 19 people were killed in Tennessee traffic crashes.