A resolution requesting the United States Department of Transportation, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and the Tennessee Department of Safety to declare the Nashville interstate system to be a “Safety Zone”, to post additional signage notifying motorists of such Safety Zone, and to reduce the speed limit applicable to commercial trucks.

WHEREAS, Nashville has a high volume of interstate traffic as a result of the city being the hub for I-24, I-65 and I-40; and

WHEREAS, tractor-trailers account for much of the interstate traffic passing through Nashville; and

WHEREAS, during the month of December 2003, four people were killed in motor vehicle accidents involving tractor-trailers; and

WHEREAS, newly appointed Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief Ronal Serpas has made a concerted effort to increase the enforcement of motor vehicle laws and the number of moving violations issued by the Police Department has significantly increased; and

WHEREAS, the Tennessee Department of Safety’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, through the “Stepped Up Patrol Enforcement Results” (SUPER) program, has been focusing on issuing moving violations to speeding trucks in an effort to reduce the number of commercial motor vehicle crashes in heavily trafficked areas; and

WHEREAS, in addition to this increased enforcement, it is fitting and proper that the Nashville interstate system be declared a “Safety Zone” to further reduce the number of commercial motor vehicle crashes; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to T.C.A. §55-8-153(a), the Tennessee Department of Transportation is empowered to lower the speed limit in urban or congested areas whenever the department determines that the public safety requires a lower speed limit.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the United States Department of Transportation, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and the Tennessee Department of Safety to declare the Nashville interstate system to be a “Safety Zone”, to post additional signage notifying motorists of such Safety Zone, and to reduce the speed limit applicable to commercial trucks.

Section 2. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to the U.S. Department of Transportation, to Gerald Nicely, the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and to Fred Phillips, the Commission of the Tennessee Department of Safety.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Ludye N. Wallace

Amendment No. 1
To
Resolution No. RS2004-251

Mr. President:

I move to amend Resolution No. RS2004-251 by deleting the phrase “ the U.S. Department of Transportation”, wherein it appears in Section 2, and substituting in lieu thereof the phrase “U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta”.

Sponsored by: Ludye N. Wallace