Tennessee Reports Decline in July 4th Traffic Deaths

Tennessee Highway Patrol officials say preliminary figures show a decline in traffic fatalities during this year’s Fourth of July holiday period.

Early estimates indicate seven people were killed in traffic crashes across the state during the 96-hour holiday, a decrease from the 19 vehicular deaths during last year’s holiday period.

State troopers arrested 119 individuals on suspicion of DUI and issued 1,414 seat belt citations during this year’s holiday period.

Officials say if the preliminary figures stand, it would rank among the lowest number of traffic deaths during the Fourth of July holiday period on record.