CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Law enforcement officers in five states across the Southeast have joined forces to crack down on speeding this week.
“Operation Southern Shield” focuses on the heavy summer travel period when the rate of fatal and injury crashes in the southeast is higher than any other time of year.
Tennessee has seen a rise in the number of fatal car crashes. In 2018, there were 507 traffic fatalities at this time last year. In 2019 that number jumped to 547. In Montgomery County, traffic fatalities is also on the rise. In 2019 there have been 16 deaths, compared to 2018 with 12 at this same time last year.
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee are all participating in this effort.
The initiative kicks off Monday, July 15 and runs through July 21.