RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - Speeding has been identified as a major factor in the tragic death of a motorcyclist on U.S. Highway 231 South (Shelbyville Highway) in recent weeks, according to a statement by Rutherford County Sheriff’s Sergeant Austin Watson.

In a separate incident on the same stretch of road, the passenger of a vehicle lost their life in a crash during the month of August. These accidents have prompted local authorities to issue urgent warnings to drivers about the dangers of speeding and the importance of being vigilant, especially at intersections.

“We are asking people to slow down and pay attention to drivers crossing intersections,” especially on Shelbyville Highway, Sgt. Watson said. “Help us try to reduce fatalities, serious crashes and wrecks on our roadways.”

Contributing to increased accidents between Murfreesboro and Shelbyville are the number of drivers on the roadway...

It's a similar story on Highway 96, or Lascassas Pike, which is on the opposite side of the county...  More traffic combined with more people speeding equals more accidents.

To combat the rising number of accidents, Rutherford County Sheriff’s deputies plan to increase enforcement measures, including running radar and utilizing message boards to encourage drivers to slow down. “We are trying to actively solve the problem,” Watson stated. “We need your help to solve the problem.”