Clarksville, Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden and City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts signed a joint proclamation designating April as Distracted Driver Awareness Month at the request of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Safety Task Force. 

According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the proclamation states there were 477 distracted driving crashes in 2022 and 10,446 crashes in Clarksville, Montgomery County, between 2011 to 2022. Talking on a mobile phone, even in hands-free mode, texting, and programming a dashboard infotainment system or GPS device diverts attention away from driving and results in physical or cognitive distraction. 

Cell phones are the leading cause of distracted driving, creating enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nine people in the United States are killed every day in crashes reported to involve a distracted driver.

On average, whenever people look down at their phones, they travel the distance of an entire football field. According to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, distracted driving is driving while engaged in activities that divert the driver’s attention from the road. There are three forms of driving: cognitive, visual, and manual. Texting and driving is extremely dangerous because it involves all three forms of distracted driving. From a financial standpoint, motor vehicle crashes in Tennessee create an economic toll of $450 million annually. 

Data gathered by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security from February 2022 to January 2023 showed that a crash that involved a distracted driver occurred nearly every 25 minutes and 16 seconds. In 2019, the state of Tennessee established a law banning the use of handheld devices while driving. This law, known as the Hands-free law, prevents drivers from holding a cell phone or any other electronic device that can distract drivers.

“We lose too many people on our roads due to distracted driving. Focusing on the road and those around us is something that we can all improve on. One accident involving distracted driving is one too many, and far too many families have suffered a loss due to actions that can be controlled,” said Mayor Golden.

“Distracted driving results in accidents with other vehicles and pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and road workers. Not long after taking office, a man drove his truck through a work area on Riverside Drive, killing a valued member of our team who was out there just doing his job. To tell a family they had lost their loved one like that is tragic,” lamented Mayor Pitts.

Each week in April, Montgomery County Government and the City of Clarksville shares interviews on their social media pages with local and state law enforcement, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS), giving their views and experience with increasing driver safety and behavior incidents in the community.

“Our Traffic Safety Task Force appreciates the support from our County and City mayors to make our roads safer. We can improve by changing habits, like leaving earlier and practicing patience. These are simple practices our law enforcement friends preach repeatedly. We people to heed their advice for the safety of everyone on the roads,” said Montgomery County Driver Safety Administrator Lisa McClain.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Traffic Safety Task Force is made up of representatives from the Clarksville Police Department (CPD), Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), and Clarksville, Montgomery County (CMCSS) and Montgomery County Driver Safety Administrator Lisa McClain.

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Montgomery County, TN – Due to the temporary closure of Bi-County Solid Waste Management's Construction & Demolition Landfill at 4577 Guthrie Highway effective April 20, traffic at the main landfill at 3212 Dover Road is expected to increase significantly and cause intermittent congestion for at least 30 days.

The traffic uptick will be primarily due to the big trucks bringing construction debris that would have gone to the construction landfill. To prepare for the additional traffic, Bi-County Leadership has coordinated with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) to lead the effort on traffic control.

MCSO Captain William Wall, head of the Uniform Patrols Bureau, stated, "Drivers need to be aware that they must slow down, and at times, may have to come to a complete stop near the landfill. I would hate to see anyone hurt, especially with so many big trucks. The best trait people can practice during this time is patience."

Message boards from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Montgomery County Highway Department are temporarily located on Dover Road. Sheriff's Patrol Deputies will also be in front of the landfill to help keep traffic flowing.

"Drivers who frequently travel this road will need to make a major adjustment while we receive higher than normal volumes of waste. Our biggest concern is for the safety of people traveling up and down Dover Road. We know this is a temporary inconvenience, but it will improve things in the long run," said Director of Bi-County Solid Waste Management Mark Neblett.

The closure of the construction landfill will allow for soil movement and cell construction in preparation for the Landfill Expansion Permit issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). 

Prep work at the construction landfill is expected to be finished within 30 days but scheduling will depend on weather conditions and other external factors. The expansion is anticipated to extend the site's life another nine to 12 years. The temporary shutdown will not affect the ability of Montgomery County or Stewart County residents or businesses to dispose of debris.

Trucks with shingle trailers will be accepted at the main landfill, only from people with a Montgomery or Stewart County driver's license, effective April 20, 2023, until further notice. Drivers will be requested to show their license.

If you have any questions, please call 931-648-5751.

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Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County Director of Emergency Medical Services Chief William Webb announces his retirement on May 12, 2023. Webb has served Montgomery County for more than 30 years. He worked his way up through serving in several capacities, from an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to Paramedic, Emergency department Paramedic, EMS training officer, assistant chief of administration, and promoted to Chief of Emergency Medical Services in 2018.

“Working in emergency services is a calling. I’m grateful I chose this path and that I was able to work with some of the best people in the field for so many years. Montgomery County has an incredible team of 130 medical professionals ready and committed to the community. I will miss my EMS family but I am also excited about the next chapter,” said Webb.

Assistant EMS Chief of Operations Chris Proctor will serve as the interim director until the position is filled. Proctor has more than 27 years of experience with Montgomery County EMS.

“I am grateful for the years of service Chief Webb has dedicated to our team. We’ve worked together for a long time and have been through some remarkable experiences and changes in the field and in life. I wish him nothing but the best,” stated Director of Emergency Services Chief Jimmie Edwards. 

Upon retirement, Webb will begin working as a medical sales representative in the private sector.

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Montgomery County, TN - The Bi-County Solid Waste Management St. Bethlehem Construction & Demolition Landfill at 4577 Guthrie Highway will be temporarily closed effective April 20, 2023. The closure will allow for soil movement and cell construction in preparation for the Landfill Expansion Permit issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). The permit to allow construction for the landfill expansion is expected to be approved by TDEC in the next week.  

"The expansion request and permitting have been part of a lengthy process between Bi-County Solid Waste and TDEC which began in early 2020. We are anxious to move forward and appreciate the public's understanding as we prepare the site," said Director of Bi-County Solid Waste Mark Neblett.

Bi-County staff expects the construction process to take approximately 30 days. Scheduling will depend on weather conditions and other external factors. The expansion is anticipated to extend the site's life another nine to 12 years. The temporary shutdown will not affect the ability for Montgomery County or Stewart County residents or businesses to dispose of debris.

"Due to the volume of construction traffic and the size of the current tipping area, it is in the best interest of customers, contract workers, and Bi-County employees to implement this temporary shutdown for the safety of everyone involved," added Neblett.

During the shutdown, trucks with shingle trailers will be accepted at the main landfill on 3212 Dover Road only from those with a Montgomery or Stewart County driver's license, effective April 20, 2023, until further notice.  

If you have any questions, please call 931-648-5751.

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Montgomery County, TN — The Montgomery County Veterans Service Office (VSO) will be closed Tuesday, April 11, for quarterly Tennessee Department of Veterans Services training. VSO will resume operations at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12. 

For information about the VSO, visit mcgtn.org or call 931-553-5173.

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