Traffic Fatalities On the Rise in Hamilton County

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Traffic fatalities are not only on the rise in Hamilton County, but according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, Hamilton County is seeing the second largest increase in the state.

Clint Shrum, a law enforcement liaison, says, "So we’ve got to do something in Hamilton County."

You may be surprised to learn that in Hamilton County the number one reason drivers, between the ages of 13 and 64, crash, is because they’re following too close.

And distracted driving, like texting, isn’t even on the list.

Shrum adds, "It doesn’t seem to be a severe problem here, as it is in other parts of the state."

Now, let’s talk about alcohol related crashes.

In Hamilton County, the majority of them happen on Saturday between 4 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Tiki Finlayson, a resident, says, "Just lets me know that my efforts are needed in the community."

Finlayson’s son died in 2011 after being hit by a drunk driver.

She said these latest statistics are just plain shocking.

Shrum adds, "We’ve had more people killed in crashes not wearing their seat belts this year."

And since the weather is warming up, authorities say motorcycle wrecks are starting to climb.

Shrum adds, "There not riding motorcycles anymore, they’re just riding death.  The problem is not always the motorcycle rider, were having to bring attention to drivers as well because they’re not being attentive to motorcycles."

While the Governor’s Highway Safety Office admits they don’t know what to do about that problem, they say several other life-saving initiatives are in place.

Shrum adds, "We feel like we’re better prepared in Hamilton County this year, than we have been in the past."