One week, two close calls: TDOT pleads with drivers to pay attention, slow down

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has pleaded with drivers to pay attention and slow down.

“I’ve been hit seven times in the course of eight years. Some of them have been minor, some have been more serious,” HELP truck driver Jason Moore previously told News 2. “I’ve totaled one truck.”

News 2 first spoke with Moore to highlight the increase in crashes involving TDOT vehicles and equipment. Moore showed us around his truck, and described the everyday job of helping people on the roadway, while also finding himself in dangerous positions.

“When I came through training, I was told, ‘It’s not if you get hit, it’s when you get hit,” Moore had said. “At some point in time during your career doing this job, your truck will be hit,’”

However, the problem has only gotten worse since the last time we spoke with Moore.

“Right now, we’re averaging two times a week,” TDOT communications officer Erin Zeigler said. “…It’s so concerning and it has to stop.”

TDOT posted to social media that so far this year, its vehicles and equipment have been hit 73 times. Fifteen of those crashes have involved HELP units.

The HELP program started in 1999 with the purpose of alleviating traffic congestion, improve safety and assist motorists in distress. HELP units have applied tourniquets to crash victims, intercepted wrong-way drivers, and helped stranded motorists during winter weather events.

“It’s really concerning,” Ziegler said. “You know all of our TDOT workers — they just want to go home at the end of the day. It’s very concerning when we’re seeing distracted and unsafe drivers put our employees and other lives in danger.”

Middle Tennessee falls in Region 3 on the TDOT Map. According to Zeigler, Region 3 has seen the highest number of TDOT HELP trucks hit compared to other regions.

“This is definitely an issue that is 100 percent preventable,” Ziegler said. “When we get in our cars we have the hands-free law in Tennessee. That’s so important. There is a fine if you don’t move on the side of the road for a stopped vehicle. It comes with consequences.”

The most recent crash happened on Thursday in Coffee County. A driver hit a TDOT truck sitting in traffic on Interstate 24. Thankfully, everyone was okay.

“When we get a notification that one of our vehicles, our equipment, our people have been involved in a crash, our hearts skip a beat,” Zeigler said. “Because they really do put their lives on the line to help you.”

Deputy governor and TDOT commissioner Butch Eley said that there has been an “alarming” increase in the number of unsafe and distracted drivers across the state.

“There have been 73 instances in 2024 where TDOT workers and equipment have been struck by motorists, resulting in serious injuries to both our workers and the drivers of those vehicles,” Eley said. “Motorists need to follow the law and put down their phones as well as move over and slow down when emergency and roadside workers are present.”

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