Speeding A Focus During ‘Operation Southern Shield’

Area law enforcement will be cracking down on speeding and other moving violations this week.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Captain R.C. Christian said Operation Southern Shield will be taking place until Sunday evening.

“This period of time on this Operation Southern Shield kind of pulls us in on some key areas in our district,” Christian said. “We focus on hazardous moving violations, driving on the wrong side of the road, and those types of things. All of those things are contributing factors to crashes, [such as] speed being too fast or whatever the case may be.”

In Tennessee, more than 9,100 citations were issued during the 2017 operation. 5,500 of those were for speeding. Christian said the campaign takes place during a heavy summer travel period when the rate of fatal or injury crashes is higher than any other time of year.

“July has kind of been a tough time for us. We’ve had several things come up and some fatalities involving young people,” Christian said. “We’re looking to curtail that as much as we can. You know, just kind of maintain our focus, being out in force, and utilizing the resources that we have available to us, even our unmarked vehicles as well.”

The operation is an initiative with law enforcement in Tennessee and several states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

Christian said drivers should be watching speed this week and concentrating on driving at all times.

“The slightest little variation can cause you to crash,” Christian said. “Concentrate and be mindful of what’s around you. Especially of your own actions. Doing that will hopefully keep you safe.”

563 people have died from traffic crashes in Tennessee this year, approximately 43 more deaths than this time last year. 245 of those deaths have occurred since May 1.