Dickson County Sheriff’s Office Says Thumbs Down to Texting & Driving

Posted on by Michelle Angel

The Dickson County Sheriff’s Office will be partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to
promote the third annual Thumbs Down to Texting and Driving campaign during the month of April. April is
nationally recognized as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Agencies participate in the campaign by
promoting safe driving habits and increasing awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. Throughout
April, the THSO will use #ThumbsDownTN to promote the campaign via social media.

Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe stated, “Distracted driving is having the same consequences as driving while impaired.  We are seeing friends, neighbors, and loved ones injured and killed as a result of distracted driving.  We need your help. I’m asking you to make a commitment to drive responsibly with no texting while driving.  Encourage and ask others to help as well.  We can make a difference, and by working together we will have safer roadways, avoid many injuries, and save lives.”

Texting and driving in Tennessee can result in a $50 fine for a driver of any age. For young drivers who have
Learner’s Permits or Intermediate Restricted licenses, cell phone use of any kind while driving is illegal.
Preliminary data reveals that in 2016, Tennessee experienced its highest number of known distracted-driving
crashes at 24,743. These crashes resulted in the deaths of 58 people. Across the state, approximately 28
individuals on average are injured each day in a crash caused by a distracted driver. Nearly twelve percent of
all crashes statewide last year were caused by someone who was driving distracted.

“Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting,” said Vic Donoho, Director of the
THSO. “At 55 miles per hour, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field. Every distracted-driving
crash is preventable. We ask Tennesseans to stay focused while driving, because it could be a matter of life or
death.”

For more information, or to learn more about texting and driving, visit www.tntrafficsafety.org/distracteddriving.

High School Students in Dickson County Have Opportunity to Earn Associate’s Degree

Posted on by Michelle Angel

The Dickson County School System is partnering with Austin Peay State University to provide an opportunity for high school students from both Creek Wood and Dickson County High Schools to take college courses at a central Dickson County location. Students would attend college classes taught by APSU faculty in the morning at the central location and return to their respective high school for lunch and afternoon classes or activities.

Students could begin taking classes the summer after completing the sophomore year of high school. For those students who participate summer, fall, and spring semesters of their junior and senior years of high school, they could graduate with an associate’s degree at the same time they graduate from high school. Student unable to participate in summer terms could still complete approximately 37 hours of college credit during fall and spring semesters, classifying them as a sophomore in college when they graduate from high school. Online courses would also be an option for some classes.

Utilizing the Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant and APSU Dual Enrollment scholarships, in addition to a tuition rate specifically for dual enrollment students, families can save over $13,000 in college expenses.

A meeting will be held Tuesday, March 28, 6pm at the Bibb Center in White Bluff, Tennessee. For more information, please contact Dr. Robbie Faulkner, Director of Secondary Education, Dickson County Schools at 615-446-7571.

Sheriff’s Office Responds to Aggravated Kidnapping turn Suicide

Posted on by Michelle Angel

On 1-16- 2017, Dickson County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a residence on Slaydenwood Road, Slayden in reference to an Aggravated Kidnapping . The suspect fled into the woods prior to law enforcement’s arrival. Contact was made with the female victim. Later contact was made with the suspect, John Christopher Tummins, in the woods behind the residence.  Mr. Tummins was armed with two hand guns and threatening suicide. Negotiators were called to the scene and attempted to peacefully resolve the incident. Approximately two hours later, Mr. Tummins took his own life.

Dickson County announces SAFE Campaign Participation

Posted on by Michelle Angel

The Dickson County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) for its annual Seatbelts Are For Everyone (SAFE) campaign. This statewide initiative is designed to increase seatbelt usage and child passenger safety restraint usage through the implementation of occupant-protection programs, public events, and checkpoints throughout local communities across Tennessee.The SAFE campaign begins February 1, 2017, and concludes on August 1, 2017.

“As guardians of our county, it is our responsibility to know the facts and use the information at hand to improve the safety of our roadways. We know seatbelts and child restraints prevent injuries and save lives. Many people still violate the law and ignore this information, knowing it may have deadly consequences. When family and friends care and depend on you, why be selfish and risk ending your life? Join your Dickson County Sheriff’s Office and help us make our roadways the safest in the state for 2017,” said Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe.

Continue reading “Dickson County announces SAFE Campaign Participation” →