Portland, Tennessee Blog

I agree that drivers in portland and all over the Mid-TN area need more training.

Just the other night we were at H.G. Hill, I dropped my wife off in front of the store at the doors and as she was crossing the street to go inside, this little car with a younger female driver came within inches of running her down. This individual had to be going at least 30 to 35 MPH, in a parking lot, directly in front of this store.

Come on folks, where's the common sense. Seems to me that common sense should tell you not to drive through a parking lot at that rate of speed...EVER!!!

Why aren't there speed bumps in front of these stores. There is one near the Chinese place, but none in front of the Grocer's etc.

this brings to mind another issue, ever been on I-65 and had a car pass you at 80MPH or more. God forbid you be in the passing lane in front of them because they will get right on your bumper. I have noticed that 9 times out of 10 they are from Kentucky. You can just about bet when this happens and they get past you if you will look at their plates, they are KY plates. What's up with that. Are there no speed limits in KY. Very frustrating and it goes to show you that drivers everywhere are careless and just downright stupid when it come to their driving skills.

Here's a clue, Look BEYOND the hood of your car when you are driving!!!

My friend and neice were very hurt by the death of Tina Mae, as you can see in many car rear windows. It was sad that she had to go at such a young age. At least she tried to save herself by wearing her seat belt. Portland has too many inexperienced drivers for such a small town. There has to be some way we can cut down on all of the accidents. The people also drive way too fast down Portland Blvd., my street. Being a preteen, I can't cross the street to the mailbox without my Mother yelling to me to look both ways. I also yell to the speeders to slow down, but I'm not sure how much that helps :).

I live on College St and I am amazed at the speeds people fly down the road at even though the speed limit is clearly posted 30.My kids are not allowed to ride bikes even though we have a sidewalk and that is a sham.

I agree that it seems as though we have too many out of control drivers in Portland, be it inexperienced teenaged drivers (as in the accident involving the Portland Progressive van) or accidents possibly involving driving under the influence (as in the tragedy which killed Tina Druckenmiller). I personally have two teenaged drivers, and it terrifies me to even allow them to drive to school. Although they are both careful drivers, teenaged drivers are just learning, and many feel "bulletproof," despite the fact that there have been numerous accidents and deaths among their peers. I cannot count the number of times a teenager has flown past me on 52 on the way to school in the morning, passing dangerously, sometimes making a lane where there is none. Don't get me wrong, it is not only teenagers who drive recklessly in this town, but when you combine teenaged inexperienced drivers, drivers who are under the influence, and the massive amount of truck traffic we have on both 52 and 109, that is an extremely dangerous combination. I wish I had a solution or some ideas about how this could be lessened. Perhaps more of a police presence before and after school near the high school and along 52 would help slow the kids down, and I know a driver's education program at the high school would help greatly. Any ideas about how to avoid these deadly accidents would certainly be welcome.