The Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) has launched a campaign alongside state and local law enforcement agencies to stop speeding. The week-long initiative, "Operation Southern Slow Down," will see increased speed limit enforcement to reduce speed-related crashes, particularly as we're heading into what's traditionally the busiest and most dangerous travel period in the Southeast. According to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO), the enforcement drive will last from July 14 through July 20.
At an event held today at the Interstate 26 Welcome Center in Kingsport, JCPD Chief Billy Church emphasized the importance of the campaign. In a statement obtained by Johnson City's official website, he remarked, "Speed remains one a the leading factors in serious crashes." He called for drivers to respect posted speed limits, stressing that "a few extra minutes behind the wheel is a small price to pay for arriving safely."
The campaign is not just a local endeavor; it involves participation from multiple agencies across state lines, including Tennessee Highway Patrol and law enforcement units from neighboring states like North Carolina and Virginia. This marks the ninth consecutive year of the campaign, illustrating a sustained commitment to roadway safety.
Several agencies are joining hands for the enforcement drive: the Bristol (Tennessee) Police Department, the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, the Kingsport Police Department, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The JCPD is proud to collaborate in this collective regional push for safer travel.
