Tennessee Reports Decline in Traffic Deaths

A law enforcement official says focused enforcement efforts on drunken driving and seatbelt usage has helped decrease the number of traffic fatalities.

Preliminary numbers from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation show there were 961 traffic deaths in 2014. That’s 35 fewer than in 2013, when 995 fatalities were recorded.

A joint statement from the agencies says the number is the second-lowest since 1963.

Tennessee Highway Patrol col. Tracy Trott said he credits the focus law enforcement has put on finding intoxicated and unbelted drivers. He says state troopers arrested almost 2,000 more people on suspicion of DU in 2014 than in 2013. The year had an 18.6 percent decline in DUI-related deaths.