Local agencies get highway safety grants

Three Bedford County agencies have been awarded highway safety grants totaling $60,260, state officials announced this week.

Agencies receiving the grants are:

* $14,950 for the Bedford County EMS to support the Rapid Response to Rural Highway Crash Victims program.

* $40,310 to the Bedford County Sheriff's Department to fund alcohol saturation patrols and roadside sobriety checkpoints.

* $5,000 to the Bell Buckle Police Department to support high visibility law enforcement campaigns.

Funding for the Governor's Highway Safety Office grants were provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Sen. Jim Tracy worked to secure these funds for Bedford County.

"These highway safety grants reflect a continued commitment to work with local and state agencies to make our roadways even safer than they are today," said Gov. Phil Bredesen.

"The funds made available through these grants will support the efforts of many local and state highway safety partners to reduce the number of people killed and injured in traffic crashes each year."

The grant awards were issued to agencies that successfully applied for funding based on problem and statistical need.

"I am proud that we are able to help fund important programs at the state and local level that help reduce the number of traffic crashes on Tennessee roadways," said Commissioner Gerald Nicely, Tennessee Department of Transportation. "These grants will make a difference in the effectiveness of our highway safety partners."