Tennessee Highway Safety Office Reports 92.2 Percent Seat Belt Usage Rate in 2024

TENNESSEE – Today, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) announced results from its annual roadside observational survey to determine the state’s average seat belt usage rate. This survey returned a statewide usage rate of 92.2 percent. The 2024 usage rate represents an increase of approximately 0.2 percent compared to Tennessee’s 2023 survey result of 92.0 percent. The 2024 survey result is Tennessee’s highest annual seat belt usage rate to date.

“For the second year in a row, Tennessee achieved its highest seat belt usage rate on record,” said THSO Director Buddy Lewis. “We appreciate all of our traffic safety partners for prioritizing occupant protection, spreading awareness, and engaging local communities. We look forward to continuing these partnerships as we work to reduce serious injuries and traffic fatalities.”

Every year, the THSO works to increase the state’s seat belt usage rate by collaborating with state and local partners through THSO grant-funded programs like Ollie Otter, Reduce TN Crashes, Rule the Road, and Tennessee’s Occupant Protection Coalition. The THSO also promotes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign, reminding citizens to buckle up.

Highlights from Tennessee’s 2024 seat belt survey are as follows.

• Research data was collected at 190 pre-identified roadway locations across Tennessee.
• Researchers observed almost 29,000 vehicle occupants.
• Vehicles observed included passenger cars, pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs.
• The highest usage rate was observed among occupants in sport utility vehicles (96.3 percent).
• The lowest usage rate was observed among occupants in pickup trucks (84.6 percent).
• Female occupants were observed to have a higher usage rate (96.2 percent) than males (89.2 percent).
• Front-seat passengers were observed to have a higher usage rate (92.3 percent) than drivers (92.1 percent).
• County-level usage rates exceeded 90 percent in 14 of 16 counties included in the survey’s sample.
• McMinn County had the highest usage rate (97 percent) among sampled counties.
• The 2024 survey captured Tennessee’s all-time high average seat belt usage rate for the second year in a row.

This data was collected through an annual roadside observational survey conducted by the University of Tennessee’s Center for Transportation Research in accordance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Uniform Criteria for State Observational Surveys of Seat Belt Use.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.

Long-sleeved T-shirt for coming to donate through Jan. 3

[TENNESSEE, Dec. 16, 2024] — December is a time to close out the year making new memories. With just two weeks left in 2024, the American Red Cross asks donors to give blood or platelets now to help those in need enjoy the rest of the holiday season with loved ones. Donors with type O negative blood and those giving platelets are especially urged to give now so patients can continue to receive the care they count on in the coming weeks.

This is a busy time for many. In addition to travel, seasonal illness and the threat of winter weather can also lead to lower appointment numbers and decreased donor turnout, making it tougher to keep the blood supply stable. Those who give regularly and those looking to give for the first time are encouraged to take one hour this December to help save lives with a blood or platelet donation.

Those who come to give Dec. 16, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.

To extend a special thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood, platelets and plasma during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give Jan. 1-26, 2025, during National Blood Donor Month, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

Making and keeping donation appointments can help keep the national blood supply strong enough to weather winter challenges now and into the new year. Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
 

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Amplify your impact − volunteer! 

 

COLUMBIA – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) recently presented a check for $20,000 to Marshall County from the Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grants (BRAG) program.

Marshall County will use the funds to identify priority sites for redevelopment. The grant is one of 36 brownfield redevelopment grants across the state announced in July.

BRAG grants are derived from the Rural Brownfield Redevelopment Investment Act, which protects the environment and creates economic opportunities, especially in rural settings. The legislation empowers local governments and development boards with resources needed for investigation, cleanup, and redevelopment of blighted properties.

A brownfield is a property vacant or underutilized due to potential contamination. Remediation minimizes threats to public health and the environment while incentivizing economic investment.

 

 

 

12/12/24

COLUMBIA, Tenn. — Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC) recently received two recognitions for the care provided to expectant mothers and their babies, according to Maury Regional Health CEO Martin/ Chaney, MD.
Recognitions were the result of the medical center’s performance in the 2024 Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Promotion of Vaginal Delivery Project led by the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care (TIPQC), for which MRMC is one of eight hospitals to achieve gold-level recognition.
mPINC
The mPINC survey evaluates hospitals nationwide on their adherence to evidence-based maternity care practices that improve outcomes for mothers and infants. The 2024 results, which include data from over 2,000 hospitals across the United States, allow facilities to benchmark their performance against similar institutions at regional and national levels.
The CDC provides hospitals with individualized reports based on survey results, highlighting strengths and offering actionable recommendations for quality improvement. The mPINC Ten Steps Assessment Tool, aligned with the World Health Organization’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, supports hospitals in enhancing their maternity care practices further.
TIPQC
In early 2023, Maury Regional Medical Center joined TIPQC and 34 other hospitals throughout the state to begin decreasing the cesarean rate to 23.6% in the birthing population presenting with nulliparous, term, singleton and vertex (NTSV) pregnancies to align with the Healthy People Goal of 2030. Cesareans are one of the most popular surgeries in the United States despite being associated with increased risk of hemorrhage, infection, uterine rupture, and longer recovery time. After more than 18 months of hard work, the Promotion of Vaginal Delivery project moved into sustainment in September 2024.
For Maury Regional Medical Center, this achievement consisted of active project participation including huddles and coaching calls, monthly outcome and structure data capture, data driven quality improvement work, clinical change implementation, and reaching the state goal of <23.6% NTSV cesarean delivery rate with or without induction.
“As a pediatrician, I’m especially appreciative for the team at Maury Regional Medical Center for receiving these recognitions,” said CEO Martin Chaney, MD. “To achieve the gold-level recognition for the Promotion of Vaginal Delivery project, this required strong leadership, coordinated Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles and collaboration. The recognition for the 2024 Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care showcases our teams’ efforts to implement the absolute best practices that support breastfeeding and infant nutrition, ensuring we continually aim for excellence for mothers and babies every day.”
These recognitions follow MRMC previously earning The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care (ACPC) by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.
Maury Regional Medical Center remains committed to advancing its maternity services and supporting families throughout their perinatal journey. To learn more about our maternity programs and services, including breastfeeding support, the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and more, visit MauryRegional.com/Childbirth

12/12/24

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, announced $11,545,225 in grant funding has been awarded to expand broadband and digital opportunities in Marshall and Williamson Counties.

The counties will receive six separate grants as part of $101.6 million in overall funding administered by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD). This investment will provide broadband access and digital opportunity programs to more than 97,000 Tennesseans across 75 counties.

“I’m excited to see high-speed internet reaching our rural communities, providing residents greater access to education, healthcare and job opportunities,” Warner said. “This grant funding will also help citizens strengthen their digital skills, opening doors to higher-paying job opportunities. Thank you to the leadership at TNECD for their support of our community.”

Local grant recipients include:
• United Communications: $8,137,109 to facilitate high-speed broadband access and increase deployment of broadband in parts of Marshall County through the Last Mile program.
• Giles County of Tennessee: $2,000,000 to construct and improve digital access in parts of Marshall and three other counties through the Connected Community Facilities (CCF) program.
• LocalTek Foundation: $751,392 to advance digital skills and workforce development in parts of Williamson and 12 other counties through the Digital Skills, Education and Workforce (DSEW) program
• Autism Possible: $293,724 to advance digital skills and workforce development in parts of Williamson and 13 other counties through the DSEW program
• Adroit: $195,000 to advance digital skills and workforce development in parts of Williamson and one other county through the DSEW program
• American Muslim Advisory Council: $168,000 to advance digital skills and workforce development in parts of Williamson and three other counties through the DSEW program
Grantees across all programs are investing approximately $25.1 million in matching funds and will complete their projects by Dec. 31, 2026, according to TNECD.

The TNECD created four grant programs to promote broadband opportunity and high-paying digital jobs. District 92 will receive grants from three of them: Last Mile, Connected Community Facilities (CCF) and Digital Skills, Employment and Workforce Development (DSEW).

The Last Mile grant program assists internet service providers with facilitating high-speed broadband access and increasing deployment and adoption of broadband in underserved areas of the Volunteer State.

CCF grant funds will be used to facilitate digital opportunity by construction or renovation of spaces that offer services for digital advancement in workforce, healthcare and education.

The DSEW program will help organizations offer a variety of training and education programs to advance digital skills and workforce development, creating a pipeline for well-paying jobs.

In total, TNECD has invested $815.6 million to expand the state’s broadband infrastructure and digital opportunity initiatives, connecting more than 700,000 Tennesseans across 280,000 residential and business locations.

Additional information on TNECD’s broadband initiatives can be found here.

Todd Warner represents District 92 which includes Marshall and part of Williamson Counties.