Week-long crackdown on speeding returns to Southeast for 10th year

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The week-long campaign “Operation Slow Down” begins Monday and goes through Sunday.

For the 10th year in a row, law enforcement agencies are focusing on speeding drivers in five southeastern states: Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

The initiative aims to crack down on reckless drivers traveling along major highways and high-risk roads during one of the deadliest travel periods of the year.

“The goal is not just to write tickets,” said Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane. “The goal is to reduce crashes and to make our streets and highways safer.”

Tennessee Highway Patrol says that since 2021, speed-related crashes have killed 202 people in the Memphis district alone.

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says it handled more than 2,600 crashes in 2025. Ten of them were fatal.

“Those conversations never get easier,” said Lieutenant Rico Mazy. “They are heartbreaking reminders that one decision behind the wheel can change lives forever.”

Law enforcement officers say the message is simple: Slow down, buckle up, and arrive alive.

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