Sheriff Hopes Radar Trailer Will Reduce Accidents

In an effort to reduce the number of traffic crashes in McCracken County, the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office has obtained a new tool that will hopefully slow drivers down. 

Utilizing drug seized forfeiture monies, the department has purchased a radar trailer that can be used anywhere in the county.

Sheriff Jon Hayden said in a press release that each year since 2012, his department has investigated between 700-800 traffic crashes each year (768 in 2012, 718 in 2013, 730 in 2014, 791 in 2015, and 641 so far in 2016).

Hayden said although not all crashes are caused by speed, the radar trailers do more than slow drivers down, they also cause them to be more attentive. 

He said most accidents in the county have been caused by driver inattention, closely followed by drivers' failure to yield to another vehicle. 

The radar trailer is in place on US Hwy. 45 near St. John’s, just in time for the annual St. John’s Picnic. Hayden said a fatal accident happened in this area on July 31, 2016, claiming the life of 25-year-old Brandon Fout, a correctional officer from South Fulton, Tennessee.