Drivers noticed more officers than usual patrolling on Interstate 24 and U.S. Highway 41/70 South Thursday throughout Rutherford County.

Teams of extra law enforcement officers patrolling those highways encouraged drivers to refrain from texting and driving as part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April.

Distracted drivers caused 1,460 crashes last year in Rutherford County.

Sheriff’s Cpl. Michael Rodgers said officers issued citations to drivers who were texting while traveling.

“The purpose of the event was to bring awareness to the dangers of distracted driving and encourage people to concentrate on the roadway,” Rodgers said.

Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers and a Tennessee Highway Safety Office representative, MTSU, La Vergne, Smyrna and Murfreesboro Police and the Sheriff’s Office participated.

During a morning briefing, Tony Burnett of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office asked officers to concentrate on drivers texting and not wearing their seatbelts, two factors that contribute to traffic crashes. 

Officers issued 166 citations for distracted driving, seat belt, child safety seats and other driving offenses.

Cutline: Teams of officers show their support of #ThumbsDownTN to ask people not to text and drive. Officers represent the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Highway Safety Office, MTSU, La Vergne, Smyrna and Murfreesboro Police and the Sheriff’s Office.