Murfreesboro police work to prevent pedestrian deaths through state grant

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — Pedestrian safety remains a priority for the Murfreesboro Police Department’s Traffic Division.

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office awarded the department a $35,000 grant to address safety.

There is an aspect of enforcement, but the main goal is to educate pedestrians about making smart decisions on city roads.

Parents worried about lack of sidewalks on some Clarksville students’ routes to school

Since June 10, officers have observed people not following traffic laws and taught them about safety measures.

“We will give them a pamphlet that gives them safety tips,” MPD Lt. Greg Walker said. “We want to make contacts with people that are non-motorists, so it doesn’t matter if they’re on foot, on a bicycle, a pedal cycle, a skateboard, anything that would cause them to possibly be considered a pedestrian.”

Jaywalking is one of the biggest pedestrian laws that MPD sees being violated. Walker recalled people — including people in wheelchairs — crossing the middle of a busy street, so he urges everyone to use crosswalks as instructed.

Back to school: Safety concerns over illegal school bus passing

According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, 82 pedestrians have died this year on roads in the Volunteer State. In addition, a Smart Growth America study shows Tennessee is the 11th most dangerous state for pedestrians.

MPD said it will continue to apply for the Tennessee Highway Safety Office grant to help prevent deaths on Murfreesboro roads.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.