Hamilton County launches Traffic Task Force

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Highway Safety Office has officially launched a new initiative aimed at improving roadway safety across Hamilton County.

On Monday, officials announced the creation of the Hamilton County Traffic Task Force—a collaborative effort designed to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities throughout the region.

The task force includes several local and state agencies, such as the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Chattanooga Police Department, Chattanooga Department of Transportation, and numerous others working together to curb dangerous driving behaviors.

“In 2024 alone, Tennessee recorded 1,126 traffic fatalities,” the Highway Safety Office reported. “Crashes involving distracted drivers occur every 43 minutes in our state.”

Steve Dillard, Senior Law Enforcement Liaison for the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, elaborated on the purpose behind the initiative.

“Our job is to look at ways to help our community—to involve all the law enforcement agencies that fall within Hamilton County—and to look at ways to combat dangerous driving behavior,” he said.

These grim statistics emphasize the urgent need for intervention.

Officials hope that combining efforts across multiple departments will make a lasting impact.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security continues to uphold its mission: to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.

Lori Bullard, Administrator for the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, shared her personal experience with distracted driving—an encounter that fuels her passion for the mission.

“I was going to the store and I was struck by a distracted driver. I still have problems, but I’m lucky to be able to walk,” Bullard said. “This affects everybody. It doesn’t select certain groups or socio-economic classes.”

Bullard added that nearly four decades in law enforcement haven’t made her immune to the risks on the road.

“I work for the Highway Safety Office. That doesn’t keep me from getting injured—nor does it protect anyone else in the public,” she noted.

As enforcement and education efforts ramp up, the message remains clear: change requires everyone’s participation.

Sheriff Austin Garrett with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office underscored the emotional toll of fatal crashes.

“When you have to look a family in the face and tell them that a family member is not coming home—we don’t want to do that again. Ever,” Garrett expressed. “We want to avoid that. That’s why it takes the public working with us, to help us make an impact, and have that drop to zero.”

With unified efforts and public support, officials believe the Hamilton County Traffic Task Force has the potential to save lives—one decision at a time.