NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Last fall, Metro Councilmembers sponsored a resolution imploring the Metro Nashville Police Department to crack down on major traffic violations to improve road safety.
“We don't want to be doing regulatory or protection stops," Metro Councilmember Jacob Kupin told News 2. "[We’re] really focused on drunk driving, speeding, seat belt [violations] — things like that."
Across Davidson County, the number of traffic stops has increased by almost 43% so far this year compared to the same time period last year, according to preliminary data from the Metro Nashville Police Department.
"I really appreciate that Chief Drake and his team really do listen, right? They do listen. They do respond to questions and concerns," Kupin said.
The largest increase in traffic stops so far this year is in the Central precinct, with a 138% increase compared to this time last year. The South precinct saw a more than 83.5% rise in stops, and the North precinct saw a 70.3% jump.
“I've seen and heard about folks getting hit and killed on roadways, so if we can make the road safer for everybody, that's huge,” Kupin told News 2.
The MNPD also provided data showing fatal crashes are down 27% during the same time period last year.