NASHVILLE – The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, other local police departments and the 11th Judicial District have been awarded nearly $430,000 in highway safety grants to combat speeders, drunk drivers and aggressive driving, Gov. Phil Bredesen and Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely announced Tuesday.
The funds are coming through the Governor’s Highway Safety Office. Statewide, the office is awarding more than $14.9 million in highway safety grants to 291 agencies across Tennessee. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the funding.
“These grant funds will support the efforts of highway safety agencies and advocates to reduce the number of people killed and injured in traffic crashes in Tennessee each year,” Bredesen said in a news release.
The top grant is $153,441.34 for the 11th Judicial District (Hamilton County) for use in DUI prosecution.
State officials have also awarded a $95,316.99 grant to the sheriff’s office Safe Journey program, a specialized unit that will train traffic personnel and parents on the proper installation of children’s safety seats and conduct safety checks. Another $75,000 is going toward speeding and safety-belt enforcement.