RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WGNS) – Drivers in Rutherford County are being reminded to ease off the gas pedal as law enforcement joins a five-state speed enforcement effort this week. Operation Southern Slow Down runs from July 14 through July 20, bringing extra patrols to interstates and highways across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

In Tennessee, the campaign is coordinated by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO), part of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Local law enforcement, including the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and Tennessee Highway Patrol, will focus on stopping speeders before crashes happen.

“When speed kills, it’s never an accident,” said THSO Director Buddy Lewis. “Help us keep the roadways safe this summer through voluntary compliance. Slow down and obey the traffic laws. You could save someone’s life, including your own.”

The increased enforcement comes amid rising concerns about dangerous driving habits. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 11,175 people were killed in speeding-related crashes nationwide in 2023, a 27% increase from 2019. In Tennessee and the four other Southeastern states participating in the campaign, 1,604 people lost their lives in crashes involving speeding last year.

Operation Southern Slow Down first launched in 2017 as a coordinated summer enforcement week designed to curb speeding and save lives. This year, it coincides with NHTSA’s “Speeding Slows You Down” campaign, which runs through July 31. Drivers can expect to see more blue lights on I‑24, I‑840, and other major roadways in Rutherford County during this time.

Law enforcement officials urge all motorists to allow extra time for trips and drive within posted speed limits.

For more information about Operation Southern Slow Down or traffic safety programs in Tennessee, visit tntrafficsafety.org.