Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is urging drivers to pay attention and slow down, following a series of incidents involving their vehicles and employees. As of this year, 73 TDOT vehicles and pieces of equipment have been struck, including 15 incidents involving HELP Units.
The most recent collision occurred on Thursday in Coffee County, where a driver hit a TDOT truck that was stopped in traffic on I-24. Fortunately, no one was injured. Just last Friday, a TDOT HELP Truck driver narrowly avoided being struck by a driver who lost control while the TDOT worker was removing debris on I-640W in Knoxville. The TDOT employee quickly responded to assist the driver, who was subsequently taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.
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Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley expressed concern over the rising number of unsafe and distracted drivers in Tennessee. “There have been 73 instances in 2024 where TDOT workers and equipment have been struck by motorists, resulting in serious injuries to both our workers and the drivers of those vehicles. Motorists need to follow the law and put down their phones as well as move over and slow down when emergency and roadside workers are present,” Eley stated.
To help raise awareness, TDOT encourages the media to use the video found here.
Source: Read Original Release
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