NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is pleading with drivers to pay attention and slow down.
“We are seeing an alarming increase of unsafe and distracted drivers across Tennessee,” said Butch Eley, Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner. “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.”
According to a press release, in 2024 alone, TDOT vehicles and equipment have been hit 73 times, 15 of those involving HELP Units. The most recent accident happened on Thursday, in Coffee County.
“A driver hit a TDOT truck sitting in traffic on I-24,” TDOT said. “Thankfully, everyone is ok. “Last Friday, while following procedure, a TDOT HELP Truck driver had stopped to remove debris on I-640W in Knoxville when he was nearly run over by a driver who lost control. As seen in this video (see below) our TDOT employee then jumped in his truck to help that driver who was taken to the hospital. The driver is expected to be ok.”
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
